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"CBS Memphis affiliate WREG-TV obtained audio of what it described as two frantic calls to 911 after the crack was found.
In the first, a man said, "We just found a super-critical finding that needs traffic shut down in both directions on the I-40 Mississippi River bridge."
When the dispatcher pressed the man further to determine what was going on, the inspector tried desperately to explain how serious the problem was, saying, "We have critical findings in one of the members that has split. We need to get people off the bridge immediately."
Another woman with Michael Baker placed the second call to 911. In it, she can be heard talking to other people on the bridge as she tries to get help.
"We have spoken with Arkansas because they hired us. We just need police cars out here. To get the traffic off the bridge," she said.
"This fracture had the potential of becoming a catastrophic event that was prevented by our staff's diligent effort in managing our bridge inspection program," Tudor said.
"Engineers were also investigating the cause of the crack. Fatigue from having tens of thousands of vehicles pass daily over the bridge could be a contributing factor, Degges said.
"It's fortunate that routine inspection averted a potential disaster, but the state of our crumbling infrastructure is deeply troubling," said U.S. Representative Steve Cohen, a Democrat whose district includes Memphis.""
www.cbsnews.com
They don't say and may not even know yet exactly when the crack opened up enough to separate.
In the first, a man said, "We just found a super-critical finding that needs traffic shut down in both directions on the I-40 Mississippi River bridge."
When the dispatcher pressed the man further to determine what was going on, the inspector tried desperately to explain how serious the problem was, saying, "We have critical findings in one of the members that has split. We need to get people off the bridge immediately."
Another woman with Michael Baker placed the second call to 911. In it, she can be heard talking to other people on the bridge as she tries to get help.
"We have spoken with Arkansas because they hired us. We just need police cars out here. To get the traffic off the bridge," she said.
"This fracture had the potential of becoming a catastrophic event that was prevented by our staff's diligent effort in managing our bridge inspection program," Tudor said.
"Engineers were also investigating the cause of the crack. Fatigue from having tens of thousands of vehicles pass daily over the bridge could be a contributing factor, Degges said.
"It's fortunate that routine inspection averted a potential disaster, but the state of our crumbling infrastructure is deeply troubling," said U.S. Representative Steve Cohen, a Democrat whose district includes Memphis.""
Urgent 911 calls after major crack found in Interstate 40 bridge linking Arkansas and Tennessee
The 48-year-old span links Arkansas and Tennessee. The inspectors said police had to clear it immediately. Officials say repairs could take months.
www.cbsnews.com
They don't say and may not even know yet exactly when the crack opened up enough to separate.
It has been a while though.
