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September 8, 2006
 
Abercrombie: Army should pay for H-1 bridge reconstruction 
 
Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep Neil Abercrombie has told the U.S. Army that it should foot the bill for the reconstruction of a pedestrian bridge struck by a piece of Army heavy equipment Tuesday afternoon.  The overpass near Aiea High School was damaged in the collision, which brought traffic to a complete stop for hours on Hawaii’s H-1.

 

In a letter to Lt. General John Brown, III, Commanding General of the U.S. Army, Pacific, Abercrombie said, “I look forward to hearing from your command about a plan to compensate the State of Hawaii for the cost of knocking down and eventually replacing the pedestrian bridge” said Abercrombie. “The accident has already cost more than $ 150-thousand, and, preliminary estimates put the cost of replacing the bridge at another $500-thousand, although the Federal Highway Administration says similar projects have averaged as much as $2 million.”

 

According to eyewitness reports, a military tractor-trailer driven by a solder from the 82nd Engineer Company was hauling a hydraulic excavator from Pearl Harbor to Schofield Barracks along H-1 when the excavator, loaded on a trailer behind the truck, struck the overpass.  Reports indicate that the top of the excavator rose 18 feet above the ground.  The bridge was 16 feet nine inches above the road surface at its highest point.

  

 The State Dept of Transportation (DOT) determined that, following the collision, the pedestrian bridge was unsafe and needed to be dismantled.  Hawaiian Dredging Company was paid a reported $150,000 to partially demolish the overpass and remove 30 tons of concrete. 

 

“The military and the people of Hawaii have a good relationship that I don’t want to see threatened by this incident,” Abercrombie said.  “The best way for the Army to repair the damage to its image is to quickly reimburse the state for the cost of tearing down and replacing the bridge. “But,” Abercrombie warned, “if the Army chooses not to do so, I’m sure the Hawaii Congressional delegation will find ways to express our concern.”

 

Apparently, normal procedures for hauling oversize equipment on the freeway system were not followed, including a pre-approved permit for oversize/overweight equipment load, front and rear escort vehicles and warning flags on the trailer tractor.  Additionally, the normal travel route for military oversize equipment movement is Kamehameha Highway to Kunia Road into Schofield Barracks.

 

The Army has begun an investigation of the accident, but has not released any information or taken responsibility for the collision.  The Army did report that the driver has been suspended from operating tractor trailers until the investigation is concluded.