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Special Truck Patching Up Eastbound Gandy Span

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

The “snooper truck” gives work crews the ability to patch holes and cracks beneath the eastbound lanes of the Gandy Bridge on Wednesday. Repairs will continue this week, then attention will turn to the westbound span.

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By RICH SHOPES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 25, 2008

Updated: 02/24/2008 11:12 pm

TAMPA - Drivers crossing the Gandy Bridge into South Tampa this week will have to be mindful of the "snooper truck."

The vehicle and its specially made 50-foot telescoping arm will inch down the Gandy's eastbound lanes, allowing workers access under the 2.6-mile span.

Workers are using the vehicle to patch the holes and cracks on the bridge; the repairs will continue through this week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drivers heading to Tampa will need to move to the left lane to avoid the truck.

Inspectors for the state's Department of Transportation a year ago discovered fissures and small holes in the bridge's concrete decking and beams.

The problems didn't pose an immediate danger but were serious enough to have the bridge placed on the department's maintenance schedule.

"This is very routine activity. It's nothing too serious," said Pepe Garcia, structures and maintenance engineer for the DOT in the Tampa Bay area.

The span that is now the eastbound Gandy was constructed in 1975. Sometime next month, after work on that span is completed, workers will focus on the westbound span, erected in 1996.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or at rshopes@tampatrib.com.

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