The Rusty Thorn in our Iconic Skyline

[PeeJayEss]

While we're on it, anyone know what the current rules are for opening closing? I thought it was kept open except when in use by a train. However, over the weekend, it was running on a schedule. Maintenance going on, different on weekends, or have they changed policy? Having to wait several hours to navigate the river is pretty limiting.

[marty904]

Dont know if its the case with this bridge but there is a form of sacrificial protection where rust is allowed to occur, thus protecting the underlying metal. Think galvanization but with rust.

I haven't researched what you're stating but I find it quite interesting that in this day and age of mind-blowing technology and chemicals, that we would be using rust as a protectant.  To my knowledge, rust doesn't stop at top layers of metal, it continues to eat away. The process might slow once it devours the top layers but it does continue to rot metal.

[WarDamJagFan]

I know this is a little off topic from the main discussion, but fits into the subject narrative of "Iconic Skyline". But does anyone else find it just a bit odd that Jacksonville's tallest building is also the darkest building at night? You can barely see it. Wouldn't it be a bit refreshing to have it lit up just a tad in order to give us an actual night "skyline"?

[Ocklawaha]

Dont know if its the case with this bridge but there is a form of sacrificial protection where rust is allowed to occur, thus protecting the underlying metal. Think galvanization but with rust.

I haven't researched what you're stating but I find it quite interesting that in this day and age of mind-blowing technology and chemicals, that we would be using rust as a protectant.  To my knowledge, rust doesn't stop at top layers of metal, it continues to eat away. The process might slow once it devours the top layers but it does continue to rot metal.

This is true, except where the bridges are highly public. There is no rule on bridge painting that I am aware of and many railroads that overpass highways keep their bridges painted along with a logo. It is against the law to paint car trucks or couplers for this same reason, rust protects them.

Continued rust on metal that is 4 inches thick is going to take a few hundred years to bring it to a weak point.

[Rob68]

So railroad companies are allowed to create rusty eye sores in any city they go and none can have a say?  Id rather have it coated with something thats more eye pleasing and perserving..anyone that believes rush protect..i have a bridge to sell you.

[acme54321]

So railroad companies are allowed to create rusty eye sores in any city they go and none can have a say?  Id rather have it coated with something thats more eye pleasing and perserving..anyone that believes rush protect..i have a bridge to sell you.

Have you actually been up to the bridge to look at it?  It's really not all that rusty, it's not like the thing is flaking apart.  It would also be subject to periodic inspection by the FRA which would (should) flag it as unsafe.

To each his own, I personally like the thing.

[Lunican]

Why should the railroad take advice from casual observers that don't even know the bridge is in use? Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean you get to have say about it.

[simms3]

Yea the only thing wrong with the title of the thread is "iconic skyline".  Pretty sure Jax has a few centuries to go of consistently adding buildings before it can be iconic, lol.  But rusty thorn the bridge is not.

[simms3]

Jax is not Asia or the Middle East, or Miami/Toronto/Vancouver.  It's a small, often struggling city in the Bible Belt of the United States.  I believe in its skyline potential, but we're talking big skyline the day cars are floating through the air, at best. 

[I-10east]

 

[Rob68]

So railroad companies are allowed to create rusty eye sores in any city they go and none can have a say?  Id rather have it coated with something thats more eye pleasing and perserving..anyone that believes rush protect..i have a bridge to sell you.

Have you actually been up to the bridge to look at it?  It's really not all that rusty, it's not like the thing is flaking apart.  It would also be subject to periodic inspection by the FRA which would (should) flag it as unsafe.

To each his own, I personally like the thing.

i was there yesterday...it needs help..not that i dont like it but if they dont maintain it..itll end up being a bill handed to we the  citizens.

[acme54321]

So railroad companies are allowed to create rusty eye sores in any city they go and none can have a say?  Id rather have it coated with something thats more eye pleasing and perserving..anyone that believes rush protect..i have a bridge to sell you.

Have you actually been up to the bridge to look at it?  It's really not all that rusty, it's not like the thing is flaking apart.  It would also be subject to periodic inspection by the FRA which would (should) flag it as unsafe.

To each his own, I personally like the thing.

i was there yesterday...it needs help..not that i dont like it but if they dont maintain it..itll end up being a bill handed to we the  citizens.

How so?  It's privately owned and maintained by the FEC.

[Egodriver71]

I'm thinking the company that depends upon it for revenue would make sure it stays in operational condition!!!


Also, why do you come to Jax in 2010 and declare something that's been here in its current state since 1925 an eyesore.  If you don't like it, you can go somewhere else!

You're like the people who move near an existing airport and the want to close it down because of the noise.  You're as bad as the Not All Aboard Florida people who complain trains shouldn't be in the neighborhoods that wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the trains!

[Tacachale]

I'm all for holding out architecture to a higher standard, but I don't really understand this complaint.

[camarocane]

Dont know if its the case with this bridge but there is a form of sacrificial protection where rust is allowed to occur, thus protecting the underlying metal. Think galvanization but with rust.

I haven't researched what you're stating but I find it quite interesting that in this day and age of mind-blowing technology and chemicals, that we would be using rust as a protectant.  To my knowledge, rust doesn't stop at top layers of metal, it continues to eat away. The process might slow once it devours the top layers but it does continue to rot metal.

For those who are curious...

http://www.steelconstruction.info/Weathering_steel