Jace Lamonica
One metal crack the width of a dime ended dozens of lives without warning. These collapses weren’t caused by chaos alone but by calculations that failed under pressure. They also became turning points in public safety matters. To understand what went wrong and why it matters, here are 10 bridge collapses in the U.S.
I-35W Mississippi River Bridge (Minneapolis, 2007)
A rush hour turned deadly one August evening when the I-35W bridge suddenly crumbled into the Mississippi River. Faulty gusset plates gave way under the weight, killing 13 and injuring 145. Though inspectors had cleared the structure months earlier, the design flaws lay hidden in plain sight.
Silver Bridge (Point Pleasant, 1967)
Days before Christmas, a hidden crack in a single eyebar triggered the collapse of the Silver Bridge. In mere seconds, 46 people were lost as cars plunged into the icy Ohio River. As a result, new national standards for bridge inspections were adopted across the U.S.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Tampa Bay, 1980)
A blinding storm rolled across Tampa Bay as a massive freighter lost its bearings and struck a support pillar. The impact tore away a 1,200-foot section, leading 35 unsuspecting drivers to their deaths. Today’s bridge has reinforced bumpers called “dolphins” to prevent another such disaster.
Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma, 1940)
Nicknamed “Galloping Gertie,” the bridge was barely four months old when it twisted violently in high winds. Engineers had underestimated the power of aeroelastic flutter, and the structure tore itself apart without warning. Although no people died, it forever changed how bridges are designed.
Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse (Kansas City, 1981)
Shortly after 7 p.m., music echoed through the hotel as guests danced beneath two skywalks. Without warning, both suspended walkways collapsed, crashing into the crowd below. Investigators later discovered that a last-minute change to the design had fatally altered the load-bearing supports.
Big Bayou Canot Train Bridge (Mobile, 1993)
Before daybreak, a barge pilot, unaware of his position, struck a railroad bridge hidden by fog. As the impact shifted the tracks, an Amtrak train soon derailed at high speed, killing 47 passengers. In the aftermath, experts called for better navigation systems and bridge protection protocols.
Schoharie Creek Bridge (Fort Hunter, 1987)
Scour and riverbed erosion around the bridge piers silently weakened the foundation until five spans gave way, plunging vehicles into the creek and killing 10 people. The collapse redefined how engineers monitor bridge stability, especially during high-water events. Federal agencies now require all bridges to be checked for scour threats.
Fern Hollow Bridge (Pittsburgh, 2022)
The bridge disintegrated under morning traffic, only hours before President Biden was due to speak nearby. The investigation afterward revealed decades of neglected maintenance despite repeated warnings about its condition. As rescue crews worked, the disaster became a national symbol of crumbling infrastructure.
Mianus River Bridge (Greenwich, 1983)
In the quiet hours of the night, a 100-foot section of I-95 came down without warning, sending vehicles plunging into the dark. Investigators uncovered corroded support pins and deteriorating bearings, long overlooked. The disaster spurred a sweeping billion-dollar initiative to modernize Connecticut’s bridge infrastructure.
Queen Isabella Causeway (South Padre Island, 2001)
Before sunrise, a barge veered off course and slammed into a support column of the island’s only bridge. A span collapsed instantly, sending vehicles tumbling into the bay and killing eight people. The event also stranded South Padre, with no mainland connection for days.
