Apparently the bridge was only installed last week. Things like this are among the many reasons why I’m no longer a structural engineer. How dreadful for those poor people…
I’m still a structural engineer. This was probably a construction issue, not a design flaw.
Structural failures are very rare - we’ve never even had a claim filed against us in over 30 years of practicing engineering.
At least one dead and likely a few more fatalities…
https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/15/us/miami-bridge-collapse/index.html
My colleague alerted me to this shocking development - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2018/03/15/new-pedestrian-bridge-collapses-at-florida-international-university-injuring-several/?utm_term=.74c4483d9dde. My heart goes out to the FIU community and Sweetwater communities. Still reeling from disbelief.
Wow! This is shocking! It does say that this is a new kind of construction, at least done to this size. It makes one wonder if there was some over-reaching here. Obviously we can’t know, other than something went very, very wrong.
Awful. Some speculation that supports not yet in place. Also a lot of criticism of the company who had a prior incident.
Horrible.
Wow, that’s hard to fathom!
^Indded! It was over a very busy road without support?
According to my mom, who lives in SFla, she heard the bridge was designed by engineering students at FIU (not that I or anyone else is putting any blame on them for the failure.) Apparently the school received a Federal DoT grant for this project. TBH, my mom has been know to repeat things inaccurately sometimes, so this info might not be correct or completely accurate.
@emilybee I don’t know about that. Maybe some students were allowed to participate in the process. The paper says:
“Designed as a cable-supported bridge, the $14.2 million project was a collaboration between MCM Construction, a prominent Miami-based contractor, and Figg Bridge Design, based in Tallahassee. Figg is responsible for the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay.” and “The university’s engineering school has an “accelerated bridge” program that develops techniques to speed up bridge construction. The program consulted with builders, designers and engineers early in the process, but was not closely involved in the pedestrian bridge program, a spokeswoman said last week.”
Like I said, my mom sometimes relays info incorrectly. I always have to check with my sister or other family members when she tells me big news. I get no, that’s not exactly the story a lot.
This article gives a pretty good description of the FIU program and funding for the bridge
https://reason.com/blog/2018/03/15/collapsed-fiu-bridge-was-funded-by-feder
https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2018/03/15/cascades-pedestrian-crossing-designed-same-company-fiu-bridge/429166002/
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/fiu-bridge-collapse-construction-firms-accused-of-unsafe-practices-10176596
https://news.fiu.edu/wp-content/uploads/17703_EXT_FIU_Bridge_Move_Fact_Sheet_030918_DIGITAL.pdf
Designed by Figg Bridge Group, constructed by Munilla Construction Management, according to the above. It is at least theoretically possible that there was an FIU student who was in intern or co-op employee at one of these companies.
^Even if there were students involved, licensed engineers would have to sign off on it.
And it couldn’t be over anywhere without support, although whether they were the final design supports is not clear. It looks from what little one can see in the photos as if one of the end supports might have failed.
The Miami Herald is reporting that a stress test was taking place when the collapse occurred and may have helped lead to the collapse.
It was a new insta bridge installed in 6 hours. The companies working on it have been cited for shoddy workmanship in the past. Part of the danger of always picking the cheapest over better quality.
What a waste of resources and an unnecessary and frustrating waste of life! Where were the inspections and checks?! It sounds like something that you hear happening in some less developed country. It should never have happened here. I find it mind boggling. I can’t even imagine the pain and anger of those who lost loved ones.
Yes, one must properly vet vendors for projects of this magnitude. Our state doesn’t do the best job of vetting either. 
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article205422719.html
This article from the Miami Herald gives some clues as to what may have caused the accident.