Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/10/02
By: Pan Yi-ching, Wang Shu-fen, Liu Kuan-ting, Lu Kang-chun and
Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, Oct. 2 (CNA) A bridge in Yilan that collapsed Tuesday, killing at least five people, was found three years ago to have damaged expansion joints, according to a maintenance report released Wednesday by the transportation ministry.

The 2016 report on the state of all bridges in Yilan said that the expansion joints on the Nanfang'ao Bridge were "obviously warped, damaged and sagging."

Motorists could easily feel the difference in the levels on the two sides of the bridge between the joints, which are designed to hold parts together while safely absorbing temperature-induced expansion and contraction of building materials, said the maintenance report that was commissioned by the Yilan County government.

The report, compiled by Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology, advised that the joints be replaced.    [FULL  STORY]