Tom Warne Report, 27 May 2014
The federal government is responsible for several errors which resulted in a towed Navy cargo ship striking the Matthews Bridge last September, and should pay for the $4.1 million repair, Florida transportation officials claim in a filing in naval court last month.
The state reported that the height of the USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin, which struck the center span of the bridge on Sept. 26, was more than 5 feet taller than officially documented. The state also alleged that the vertical clearance listed for the bridge, which the federal government generated and published, is also incorrect.
“Although the United States has attempted to place road blocks and otherwise impede the State’s ability to independently establish the true height of the Martin, other evidence shows that the Martin was at least five feet and seven inches taller than it was actually listed,” according to the claim. “The United States is also responsible for the alleged error as to the vertical clearance of the [Matthews] Bridge.”
In the filing, the state demands to be repaid the $4.1 million repair costs by the U.S. Navy and two of its subcontractors, Patriot Contract Services and Moran Towing Corporation. An attorney representing the parties said they have not responded to the claim and declined further comment.
FDOT spokesman Dick Kane said both parties will meet for mediation and a settlement conference in August.
Bridge hits, unfortunately, are not entirely uncommon to transportation agencies. When it happens, everyone pays in terms of delay, inconvenience, and detours, but ultimately someone needs to pay for the repairs. While there are always two sides to the story, the entity who hits the bridge usually pays, which makes this story unusual. JN
