Schoharie Creek Bridge collapse

The bridge consisted of multiple spans crossing the Schoharie Creek along Interstate 90, with supporting piers anchored in the creek bed.

On April 5, 1987, a combination of snowmelt and heavy rainfall led to a catastrophic collapse of the bridge, causing the deaths of ten people.

The bridge collapse triggered nationwide discussions about infrastructure maintenance and became a case study for civil engineering education programs.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigation revealed that insufficient protection against erosion and inadequate bridge inspections contributed to the structural failure.

Within ninety minutes of the initial collapse, three separate bridge sections fell into the creek, creating a cascading failure effect that reshaped bridge safety protocols.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 42.93083,-74.27806

Latest update: September 23, 2025 16:45