Purdue team evaluates bridge safety

FOUNTAIN COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue researchers are working to evaluate bridge safety across Indiana.

A team of Purdue graduates, professors, and engineers met with the Fountain County Highway Department to put their bridges to the test.

Robert J. Connor, a Purdue University Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, was part of that team.

"There is nothing better than just kind of asking the bridge 'What happens to you when the truck crosses?' and that's what we're doing today," said Connor.

Connor said the team installs a series of sensors to a bridge before driving heavy trucks across it. The sensors help the team make more accurate assessments.

"So we just put a 5000 pound truck across it and it moved, and all bridges move. But these bridges are fine. It's the ones that aren't as good as this one that of course the concern is with," said Connor.

Connor said several counties were concerned about the safety of their bridges and contacted Purdue to ask for assistance.