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Miami, FL — Following today’s tragic pedestrian bridge collapse at Florida International University (FIU), U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) requested that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) address the “bridge’s design, construction, and ultimate failure” while it conducts its investigation.
El full text of the letter is below:
Dear Secretary Chao:
Today, Florida International University’s (FIU) new pedestrian bridge collapsed, killing several innocent people. I write to request that the investigation and review being conducted by the Department of Transportation addresses the bridge’s design, construction, and ultimate failure.
It is my understanding that the Department of Transportation contributed funding for the project through an $11.4 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant in 2013. This grant allowed FIU, and its partners, to move forward with construction. It is also my understanding that this bridge was constructed using the new Accelerated Bridge Construction method, and was installed this past Saturday in only six hours. While I support federal dollars being used to support innovative technologies, these projects must meet the highest standards to ensure safety is paramount.
I commend the National Transportation Safety Board’s swift deployment of a team to investigate the bridge collapse. In its review, I hope to see the NTSB investigate and answer the following questions: What safety standards are in place to ensure speed does not compromise safety in Accelerated Bridge Construction? What materials, and from what sources, were used in bridge construction? What, if any, safety procedures were not followed in this instance?
As the investigation continues and further details emerge, I stand ready to support the Department of Transportation, FIU, and the Miami community, as it deals with the aftermath of this tragic accident. Thank you for your swift attention to this matter and I look forward to your prompt response.