The Bridges of Ventura County
Can the bridge collapse that happened in Minnesota happen here in Ventura County or even Ojai? According to an MSNBC report on the National Bridge Inventory, which is compiled by the U.S. DOT's Federal Highway Administration, the answer is yes.
I have created a spreadsheet isolating the bridges in Ojai or close proximity. All ten of these bridges carry at least 10,000 vehicles a day and have been rated as either structurally deficient (D) or functionally obsolete (O) by inspectors.
A structurally deficient bridge is closed or restricted to light vehicles because of its deteriorated structural components. While not necessarily unsafe, these bridges must have limits for speed and weight. A functionally obsolete bridge has older design features and, while it is not unsafe for all vehicles, it cannot safely accommodate current traffic volumes, and vehicle sizes and weights.
Sufficiency rating is a value obtained by calculating four separate factors (structural adequacy and safety, serviceability and functional obsolescence, essentiality for public use, and special reductions) that is indicative of a bridge's sufficiency to remain in service. A value of 100 represents an entirely sufficient bridge and a zero represents a deficient bridge.
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Comments (4)
Tyler,
I did not see San Antonio Creek bridge at Rancho Arnaz. But I am here to inform all that this bridge has danger from the water before it goes under the bridge to the Ventura River. In addition, the Ventura River Bank has breached and the new levee had to be built because of this breach.
I have the maps. I have the verified data. But as always, tradegy will have to strike before any action is taken.
My research on the new dike at Casitas Springs, CA
has provided proof that the City of Ojai owns land outside
its city limits. Paulette, assistant city manager, told me on
the phone that would be illegal. Sherry, planning division,
denied the city owned the land, but then said the city never
paid any property taxes on it. And that the assessor was keeping bad information in his records.
Book 2514 page 242 recorded in Ventura County Records
states that the City of Ojai has owned this land since 4/3/1964,
but it is land without any value.
I will buy this land for one dollar and watch the value increase for taxes.
I am wondering why such a reaction from city officials?
Comment #1 Posted by: Carroll Dean Williams | August 7, 2007 02:42 PM
Did anyone feel the earthquake last night? I slept right through it, apparently. My mom said her house was shaking in the middle of the night last night (Wed.) and the papers say it was a 4.5.
Some bridge closures:
http://tinyurl.com/36ltya
Comment #2 Posted by: Leslie Davis | August 9, 2007 12:39 PM
I did feel that! Woke me up, thought it might be an earthquake, went right back to sleep and forgot about it.
Comment #3 Posted by: Tyler | August 9, 2007 12:44 PM
i felt it too! i was up rocking Noa to sleep, but it was so brief that i doubted myself. great to have it confirmed!
Comment #4 Posted by: evan | August 9, 2007 12:52 PM