[OldMissileer]

What was needed was temporary center pillars right at the highway median strip.

I spent several years performing structural dynamics work and studies for the DoD and the first thing I thought was why they didn't have temporary shoring placed at the Median until the support structure and the Cable Stays were installed and tensioned.

Always over-engineer and account for safety, even if the numbers tell you differently.

[JoeRed]

“Always over-engineer and account for safety, even if the numbers tell you differently.”

I concur 100%

[dennisw]

Could it be that if the concrete had been allowed to cure longer by the side of the highway, the bridge (minus cable stays) would not have pancaked?

Thanks! You have the experience! As for me with just common sense I can see this taxpayer funded, ornamental bridge, for FIU to brag about needed shoring up. That it should not have been left “naked” until cable stays were installed.

I will admit that if I drove by this bridge pre-collapse, I would have accepted -trusted that there was enough good design and engineering for it to be OK for a few weeks-months without the cable stays being installed.