Aug 3 2007
During this initial stage of sorrow and shock, we as representatives of the bridge industry share our sympathy and extend our condolences to the victims of this tragic incident. We pray for the speedy recovery of the survivors and applaud the excellent rescue and recovery efforts.
The approximately 175 members of our association consist mainly of steel producers and fabricating companies. As we have in the past, our NSBA members will be offering their services and resources in a number of positive ways. The National Transportation Safety Board, along with other federal and state offices, is currently starting their investigation. We stand ready to aid in any way we can. Premature speculation about potential causes is neither appropriate nor productive at this time. Rather, this is a time for careful, comprehensive engineering analysis and for rapid response to the human and transportation impacts of this disaster.
To that end, NSBA's members pledge to participate in attempts to quickly restore traffic levels across the Mississippi River with temporary or permanent bridge structures.
Whatever the eventual findings, this horrific event serves to remind us all about the decaying state of our country's infrastructure - not only bridges, but also roadways, railroads, power stations, and steam pipes under Manhattan. The NSBA is dedicated to reversing this deterioration through continued advancement and improvement in materials, designs and technologies that will make our nation's bridges safer.