Engineers have found significant structural deficiencies in the westbound Washington Bridge, leading to the conclusion that it must be torn down and rebuilt, potentially taking up to two years. The deficiencies pose a risk to the newer eastbound structure, prompting the opening of the eastbound bridge to three lanes of traffic in each direction to alleviate congestion. The governor indicated that a "day of reckoning" is coming and legal action may be considered, pending the completion of a forensic analysis and review by engineering firms.
Federal investigators have provided key insights into the possible causes of the catastrophic 2021 condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, identifying deficiencies in the building's construction, particularly in the pool deck and tower columns. The probe has revealed that the building's swimming pool deck collapsed at least four minutes before the rest of the building, and investigators are now focusing on potential structural failures in the pool deck or supporting columns. While the investigation has identified strong evidence for the most likely causes, they must still rule out dozens of other hypotheses. The final findings are expected to be released in a report next year, and may uncover potential issues in other similar buildings nationwide.
