FDOT
Press Release
October 31, 2019
VIDEO: Crews Inspect the Dames Point Bridge
A team of bridge inspectors carefully scoured the Dames Point Bridge the entire month of October as part of a routine bridge inspection. The inspection included both the underside and top side of the bridge.
Notably, over the past week crews used climbing rope and safety harnesses to inspect the steel cables that extend from the towers and connect to the bridge span to support the structure. A single lane closure was required on the bridge for the crews to safely inspect the cables.
Watch (download): Drone footage of crews inspecting the bridge cables.
Watch (download): 360° footage of crews sliding down the cables to perform an inspection.
The Dames Point Bridge has the longest vertical span bridge in Florida, coming in over 1,300 feet. 168 cables are used to connect the bridge and the cables are contained in a steel pipe.
The routine inspection is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s robust bridge inspection program. Bridges are inspected, at minimum every two years. The inspection process ensures the bridge is structurally sound and provides a good value to taxpayers by allowing maintenance issues to be identified early to extend the life of the investment in infrastructure.
Wow. I have a hard time even driving over it, without my stomach turning. Great videos on a very unusual and critical job done. We take too much for granted, sometimes.