Miami: A pedestrian bridge spanning several lanes of traffic
collapsed on Thursday at Florida International University in over Miami highway, trapping people and cars underneath the structure, with local media saying several people were killed. The footbridge, which connects the university with the city of Sweetwater, was only opened days ago according to CBS Miami. Local media has shown footage of firefighters climbing on the wreckage of the bridge while paramedicts treated several injured people. Live footage on CBS Miami showed the bridge had collapsed on top of at least three vehicles.
Here are the highlights of the Florida University footbridge collapse:
Mar 16, 2018 07:04 (IST)
Four people have been confirmed dead in the footbridge collapse.
Mar 16, 2018 05:08 (IST)
The pedestrian bridge was earmarked to be opened in 2019, but was fast tracked to Saturday.
Mar 16, 2018 03:37 (IST)
To keep the disruption of traffic to a minimum, a 174-foot portion of the bridge was built adjacent to the street and was driven into its perpendicular position across the road by a rig in only six hours on Saturday, according to the university.
Mar 16, 2018 03:36 (IST)
Funding for the $14.2 million bridge is part of a $19.4 million U.S. Transportation Department grant through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, according to the university.
Mar 16, 2018 03:36 (IST)
The bridge was the first in the world to be constructed entirely of self-cleaning concrete, according to the university. Titanium dioxide used in its construction, when exposed to sunlight, captures air pollutants and keeps the surface white.
Mar 16, 2018 03:35 (IST)
The footbridge was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, the most dangerous measure by the National Hurricane Center, and last 100 years, according to the university.
Mar 16, 2018 02:25 (IST)
According to local media, the pedestrian bridge was constructed as a person was killed on the Miami-Dade highway.
Mar 16, 2018 01:11 (IST)
The Florida Highway Patrol has said that several people were killed, according to US networks.
Mar 16, 2018 01:10 (IST)
The Miami Herald reported the bridge was installed on Saturday morning.