Construction on Asbestos-Laden Bridge Delayed
October 8, 2009
In Tampa, Florida, the Cass Street bridge project’s completion date has been pushed back to November. The bridge was shut down for repairs earlier this year after it was deemed "structurally deficient". According to David Vaughn, the city’s contracts administrator, contractors repairing the Industrial Era drawbridge uncovered more asbestos and corroded steel that needed to be replaced, which caused the extension of the project’s timeline.
Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative mesothelioma treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms. Once symptoms emerge, however, the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.
All told, the bridge project will cost $1.7 million. The project began in July. The bridge was built in 1927, and has had some work done over the years. However, prior to this project, the bridge had not undergone a complete overhaul since 1949.
Last year, the bridge was listed by inspectors as "structurally deficient". It was scored by the state Department of Transportation, receiving a health rating of 74.89, which means that the bridge is in need of repairs or replacement within six years. About 12,000 vehicles a day cross the bridge, according to the state DOT.
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