Expert Says Demolition Plan For Collapsed Highway Overpass Was Flawed

A published report indicates problems with the demolition plan of the former Hopple Street overpass along I-75 in Cincinnati.  "The Cincinnati Enquirer" cites a bridge expert who calls the plan "sloppy," with last-minute changes and flaws.  Linwood Howell is a senior engineer for Texas-based XRStructural Engineering Services, which routinely inspects bridges for that state. His comments were made to the newspaper after it obtained  plan documents from the Ohio Department of  Transportation. The overpass collapsed last month, killing a construction worker.  The Columbus-based contractor on the project, Kokosing Construction, says experienced engineers put the plan together and their investigation into the accident continues.