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Rocks Village Bridge in Massachusetts Remains Oldest Working Drawbridge in America Since 1883

Rocks Village Bridge in Massachusetts Remains Oldest Working Drawbridge in America Since 1883

The Rocks Village Bridge, connecting Haverhill and West Newbury, Massachusetts, continues to operate as the oldest working drawbridge in America. Its 158-foot swing span, along with a 71-foot pony truss, dates back to 1883. The bridge's unique feature is its original hand-operated mechanism, designed by engineer David H. Andrews of Boston Bridge Works, which allowed a single person to turn the span by hand in minutes. This movable section rotates horizontally to clear the Merrimack River for boat traffic. While parts of the bridge have been replaced or repaired over the decades, including the addition of a 175-foot Pennsylvania through truss in 1895 and three new steel spans in 1914, the 1883 swing span remains functional for both vehicular and marine use. Federal regulations still require the bridge to open for vessels with at least two hours' notice. The bridge also accommodates road traffic, though it has a maximum posted clearance of 12 feet 6 inches, which was tested by a truck collision in March 2022...

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Saving Sarasota County’s historic swing bridge could cost less

Saving Sarasota County’s historic swing bridge could cost less

A new report says restoring Sarasota County’s century-old Blackburn Point Road swing bridge could cost far less than replacing it.

European High-Speed Rail Network Expands Amidst Increasing Cross-Border Competition

European High-Speed Rail Network Expands Amidst Increasing Cross-Border Competition

European High-Speed Rail Network Expands Amidst Increasing Cross-Border Competition

Train Carrying Vehicles Derails in Ferguson, Missouri; No Injuries or Hazardous Materials Reported

Train Carrying Vehicles Derails in Ferguson, Missouri; No Injuries or Hazardous Materials Reported

A train carrying numerous vehicles derailed in Ferguson, Missouri, on Sunday evening, near Ferguson Avenue and Godfrey Lane. City officials confirmed that there were no reported injuries and no hazardous materials were involved, eliminating the need for an evacuation. Multiple train cars left the tracks, with at least one car opening and a pickup truck tilting out of its container. Norfolk Southern Railway representatives are leading the investigation to determine the cause of the derailment. The incident also led to temporary power outages for hundreds of Ameren Missouri customers. Emergency personnel, including the Ferguson Police Department and fire department, responded to the scene, setting up detours and roadblocks for the Monday morning commute. This derailment occurred in the exact same area as a previous incident approximately six years ago.

The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio governor candidates want gas tax holiday as prices at pump surge

Ohio governor candidates want gas tax holiday as prices at pump surge

As gas prices spike, candidates for Ohio governor want state lawmakers to slash the gas tax rate to give drivers some relief at the pump.

Multi-Vehicle Crash in San Francisco Injures Six Individuals

Multi-Vehicle Crash in San Francisco Injures Six Individuals

A multi-vehicle collision occurred in San Francisco on Saturday evening, resulting in injuries to six people. The incident took place near the intersection of Park Presidio and California streets just before 7 p.m. The San Francisco Fire Department responded to the scene and declared a "yellow alert multi-casualty incident," a protocol designed to ensure sufficient emergency medical resources, including ambulances and available hospital beds for trauma patients. All six individuals involved in the crash were transported to a local hospital. Three of the victims sustained moderate injuries, while the remaining three suffered minor injuries. Authorities confirmed that all injuries were non-life-threatening.

Boil Advisory Issued in Tremonton, Utah Following Contamination from Severe Rainfall

Boil Advisory Issued in Tremonton, Utah Following Contamination from Severe Rainfall

Residents of Tremonton, Utah, have been advised to boil their drinking water due to contamination caused by severe rainfall and flooding. The city reported receiving multiple complaints of dirty water, which led to the discovery of mud and sediment accumulation in a pump house. This pump house has since been taken offline, and bacterial samples have been collected for laboratory analysis. In response to the contamination, the city has flushed its water distribution system using fire hydrants. Residents are instructed to boil water for at least one minute before consumption for activities such as drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and brushing teeth. Additionally, they are advised to flush all cold and hot water taps for three to five minutes and empty any water from appliance service lines.

Savannah Morning News

First reading approved for data center moratorium

First reading approved for data center moratorium

Jasper County Council approved first reading for a data center moratorium in unincorporated areas of the county during its Sept. 8 meeting.

Donovan-Hill Group, Inc. Seeks Survey CAD Technician in Pensacola, Florida

Donovan-Hill Group, Inc. Seeks Survey CAD Technician in Pensacola, Florida

Donovan-Hill Group, Inc. Seeks Survey CAD Technician in Pensacola, Florida

Virginia Faces $1.7 Billion Highway Maintenance Funding Shortfall, Threatening Future Construction Projects

Virginia Faces $1.7 Billion Highway Maintenance Funding Shortfall, Threatening Future Construction Projects

Virginia is confronting a significant funding gap of at least $1.7 billion for highway maintenance, as reported by state transportation department staff. This shortfall is leading to roads falling into disrepair, creating both economic and safety liabilities. The issue could also negatively impact future construction projects across the commonwealth. Over the past two decades, Virginia's infrastructure has expanded considerably, with a 400-bridge increase to 21,200 bridges and an additional 2,000 miles of pavement, totaling 59,700 miles. These assets require substantial annual funding for maintenance and repair. Despite the state's Appropriation Act prioritizing transportation asset maintenance, the Commonwealth Transportation Board has learned that addressing this funding deficit will be challenging, with no easy solutions available.

Senators Young and Peters Introduce Legislation to Boost Roundabout Construction for Traffic Safety

Senators Young and Peters Introduce Legislation to Boost Roundabout Construction for Traffic Safety

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Gary Peters have introduced the Visionary Intersections Modernization Act, a legislative initiative aimed at enhancing traffic safety and providing states and local communities with more options for federal funding to construct roundabouts. The proposed bill seeks to amend the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, making the construction of roundabouts an eligible use of these federal funds. Senator Young highlighted that federal infrastructure investments should prioritize safety and empower communities to protect their residents. He cited Indiana's success, particularly Carmel, which has approximately 150 roundabouts and has seen an 80% reduction in injury accidents and a 40% decrease in overall accidents since the late 1990s.

Virginia Mother Demands Stricter Penalties and Safer Roads After Son's Death by Alleged Drunk Driver

Virginia Mother Demands Stricter Penalties and Safer Roads After Son's Death by Alleged Drunk Driver

Sharon Driver, a mother from Henrico County, Virginia, is advocating for tougher penalties for impaired drivers and improved road safety after her son, Joshua Driver, was killed by an alleged drunk driver four months ago. Joshua was struck while walking home along Broad Street after missing his bus. The man charged in connection with his death, John Bruehl, faces charges of hit-and-run and driving under the influence and is scheduled for a court appearance later this month. Sharon Driver, joined by Joshua's brother Bobby and sister-in-law Abbey Puckett, has been standing at her son's memorial to raise awareness. She expresses that her grief has not eased and that advocating for change is her way of processing the pain. Her concerns extend to the pace and scope of road improvements along Broad Street, which she believes are insufficient to protect pedestrians, citing frequent accidents in the area. Just recently, a woman was critically injured in a similar incident on West Broad Street.