Orting’s Bridge for Kids

Jack Fitch, Dawa Sherpa, Jeff Baxter, Ryan McQueeny, Karin Erwin

Volcanic Hazards(Mt. Rainier)

• Toxic Gases- wind will decide where it goes, quick dissipation• Landslides- could turn into a lahar and be dangerous• Lava Flows- high viscosity, lower risk to travel far and slow moving• Lateral Blasts- large blasts are rare• Tephra

– building collapse – breathing issues– decrease visibility – Wind=unpredictable

• Pyroclastic Flows!

• Many Associated Hazards… a bridge doesn’t solve all problems

The Hazard: Lahars• In Hindi: wave• In English: Wet, Hot

Concrete• Contents

– Initially glacial and snow melt

– Then, <20% water, mud, rocks, boulders, trees, cows, cars and other debris

– Anything in the way!

The Hazard: Lahars• Lahars travel down through low spots…• Speeds up to 40m/s (90mi/hr) depending on

conditions

Great Lahars in History

• Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia – 1985: 23,000 buried

and killed under the lahar

• Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines– 1991: 1500 killed by

soupy ash water from typhoon after eruption

Lahar History in the Pacific Northwest

• The Source: Mt. Rainier’s Volcanic Activity

• Two Big Ones– Osceola (5000ya)– Electron (500ya)

Orting History

• Settled in 1854

• High carbon lahar path + drainage basin = Fertility

– Hops, produce, farming,Christmas tree farms

• Supplier for coal towns of Carbinado and Wilkeson

• Population 6,075

• 2008 Census:– 44% of households have children

• At the foot of Mt. Rainier…

Orting in Real Life

Orting, Washington

Orting, Washington•Lahars travel down and through low spots…

●River valleys or past lahar paths

Low Spot!

Why Orting?

• Orting lies in a high risked lahar flow zone• How to alert the town in case of the actual

event? • How to evacuate the people of Orting to

safety in the short span of time?

What can be done?

• The City of Orting installed sensors called Acoustic Flow Monitors.

• Designated evacuation route consisting both walking and driving to higher grounds following the beginning of the two sirens.

Problem(s) in the Orting School District

• Unsafe Escape Route for >2050 Students– Orting Primary, Middle and High Schools– Ptarmigan Ridge Intermediate School

• Dangerous Crossing– SR162

• Crazy/Erratic Drivers!

PTA finds an Alternative

• Build a bridge across the Carbon River for faster and safer evacuation

The 2003 Feasibility Study

• KPFF Consulting Engineers• Several Considerations

Bridge for Kids

• The project has passed through its initial phase. • Currently working on engineering and designing

aspect. • Two options for the bridge.

- Ramp or Stairs?

Bridge for Kids

• Initially estimated total cost of the project $12.7 million • Currently received only $2.8 million from the state and

federal funding

Looming Issues

• Practicality– School in session only 12% of time

• Accessibility Bridge must meet ADA standards to receive federal funding– Stairs cheaper but do not meet ADA– Aesthetically Displeasing

• Timeliness– Parents are worried. When will it be done?

• Funding– Flimsy Funding Agencies back out?– Post-construction maintenance?

Current Group Direction

• Division of Topics– Karin

• Lahars: all about them

– Dawa• History of Lahars in the NW

– Ryan• The Bridge for Kids: What is it?

– Jeff• The Future of the Bridge for Kids

– Jack• Potential Problems Issues

Future Directions

• B4K In Depth?• Interview Targets

– Chris Fowler: President of Bridge for Kids– Rex Kurbs: Ptarmigan Ridge Intermediate Principal– Barbara Baumi: Treasurer for Bridge for Kids– Michael Mariano: Pierce County Project Manager

• Photos– Schools– Proposed Bridge Site– SR162

• Investigate SR162Tunnel?

Sources

• www .bridgeforkids.org• http:// volvanoes.usgs.gov• http://www.geotimes.org/apr04/feature_MountRainier.html• http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/hazards/primer/lahar.html• http:// library.thinkquest.org/andes/colombia/ruiz.html• http://www.suite101.com/view_image.cfm/731368• Lecture Presentation Mike Valentine, Friday, 6/5/2009. • http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr162/ortingbridgeforkids/