Ep 8. Highway to Hell

In this episode of Engineering Catastrophes season 2, named Highway to Hell, viewers are taken on a journey through some of the most disastrous highway accidents in history. The episode explores how engineering mistakes and unforeseen challenges can cause catastrophic events on busy highways and cause loss of lives.

The episode begins with a look at a bridge in Minnesota that collapsed in 2007, claiming the lives of thirteen people and injuring another 145. The investigation revealed that the bridge's gusset plates, designed to hold the bridge together, were not strong enough to withstand the weight of the bridge and the traffic it carried. The episode examines the consequences of this tragic event and how more rigorous inspections and maintenance could have prevented it.

The next segment of the episode focuses on the failure of the Quebec Bridge in 1907, which resulted in the death of 76 workers. This bridge was designed to be the largest and strongest cantilever bridge in the world, but it collapsed during construction due to a combination of design errors and weather conditions. The engineers had underestimated the weight of the bridge, and they had not accounted for the extreme winds that blew through the St. Lawrence River gorge. The episode delves into the reasons why such disasters occur despite the engineering advancements and highlights that even the best engineers can make mistakes or overlook critical elements that can lead to tragedy.

Moving on, the episode takes a look at the deadliest bridge collapse in US history, which occurred in Connecticut in 1983. A 100-foot-long section of the Mianus River Bridge fell into the river, killing three people and injuring three others. The accident was caused by the failure of the bridge's key support beam, which snapped apart after years of corrosive rain. The episode explains how bridges and their key elements like support beams need to be regularly inspected and maintained to avoid disasters.

Next, the episode explores the Hyatt Regency Hotel disaster in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1981. An aerial walkway in the hotel's lobby collapsed, killing 114 people and injuring 216 more. The collapse happened due to the placement of a load-bearing rod that connected the upper and lower walkways, which was repositioned to create more space. This move caused the walkways to become structurally unstable. The episode reveals that many engineers had realized that the design was a critical flaw but didn't voice their concerns as they felt their superiors might not like it.

The final segment of the episode examines the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge collapse in 2007, killing thirteen people and injuring 145 others. The episode looks at how design errors, insufficient maintenance, and a failure to prioritize the repair of the bridge's critical structural components eventually caused its catastrophic collapse. The episode also highlights how the lackadaisical approach of policymakers towards infrastructure spending can lead to disasters.

Engineering Catastrophes season 2 episode 8-Highway to Hell is a compelling episode that highlights how engineering errors, combined with natural forces, can cause significant disasters. The episode explodes myths related to engineering and infrastructure projects and reinforces the need for constant vigilance and attention to safety protocols. The show not only informs audiences about the technical aspects of these large-scale projects but also demonstrates the far-reaching social and economic consequences of engineering mishaps.