Page 16 - Wire Rope News & Sling Technology - December 2018

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is a responsibility of New York City’s
Department of Transportation working
in collaboration with State and Federal
Agencies. Information about work-in-
progress is posted on-line at several
websites. The 2017 condition report
published by DoT’s Commissioner Pol-
ly Trottenberg states:
“The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New
York City’s most popular tourist desti-
nations, as well as a major transporta-
tion corridor. The existing promenade,
shared by pedestrians and cyclists, is
narrow and heavily crowded with tour-
ists and mobile vendors vying for space
with commuters and recreational us-
ers.” From 2008 to 2015, pedestrian
volumes increased 275% on weekends
and cyclists increased 104%. The prom-
enade, which was part of the original
bridge, narrows to just 10 feet across in
places from 17 feet at its widest point.
In August 2016, the Agency’s Transpor-
tation Planning and Management Di-
vision began a seven-month $370,000
engineering study to assess how much
weight the bridge can carry and con-
sider options for expansion, such as the
structural feasibility of constructing
additional space above the roadways
on the existing truss system. The goals
of the study are to relieve overcrowd-
ing, enhance the visitor experience and
improve safety, and to greatly reduce
conflicts between cyclists, pedestrians,
and visitors on the promenade.
Commissioner Trottenberg’s report
has alerted motorists to be aware the
last days of the Brooklyn Bridge may
be notable because it will become the The bizarre European addiction for padlocks adorning bridges has become an added affliction
world’s largest pedestrian bridge soon- of the Brooklyn Bridge. The threat of a fine may deter some of it but the people who do it
er or later. Before this ever happens, don’t seem to view it as a crime. Photo © Spinel_S | iStockphoto
DoT will confront the big unimagi- roughly two years and is part of regu- zation that didn’t exist in 1883. (Both
nable task of getting a look inside the lar bridge upkeep. If the cable analysis are actually federal crimes because of
main cables: shows an expansion to be feasible, and the 1964 designation of the bridge’s
“The study’s analysis showed that taking into account other bridge needs, status as a USA National Historic
while the expanded promenade itself the promenade will be widened when Landmark.) The aerosol spray can
would add additional weight, the great- entire deck is raised to girder height as has provided a simple tool for quickly
est increase would come from added part of an upcoming contract.” and easily adorning any bridge (and
pedestrian volume and live loads re- Along with the never-ending task other public structures) with free-
lated to their presence. Results of the of painting the steelwork, New York form graffiti. Because the defacing is
study recommended an inspection of City’s DoT also contends with some always done secretly, it creates a nui-
the cables before considering a deck dual maintenance problems arising sance for public maintenance employ-
expansion. This inspection will take from two aspects of our modern civili- ees in New York City and everywhere
in America.
The Brooklyn Bridge presents a huge
target for those who get gratification
out of throwing up lettering etc. with
a spray can. By periodically removing
it with high pressure water hoses and
strong solvents, the clean-up has a neg-
The Brady Splice. The Brooklyn Bridge was the only bridge ever built with these little couplings. ative impact on the Rosendale cement
The main cables contain more than 60,000 of them but few people have ever seen one. Ac- which was used for the brick and stone
cording to Wilhelm Hildenbrand there is a screw thread of ½-inch on the ends of each length
of wire. After the ends were secured in the coupling, the attachment was dipped in molten zinc work of the bridge. That kind of cement
and painted with red lead. The connection was good enough to give 95% of the wire strength. continued on page 78

16 Wire Rope News & Sling Technology December 2018