Media Advisory: Building a Better Bridge

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Researchers from the University at Buffalo's MCEER and from Calspan will discuss details and provide images of plans to build two 72-foot-long bridges in Ashford, N.Y., 35 miles south of Buffalo, as part of a project to test how adverse weather conditions and seismic vibrations affect new bridge technologies.

WHEN & WHERE: The media briefing will take place at 12:45 p.m. Monday, July 13, at Calspan headquarters, 4455 Genesee St., Buffalo.

PLEASE NOTE: Members of the media must bring photo ID for admittance to Calspan.

The MCEER-Calpsan project will subject the two full-scale bridges, and their advanced protective technologies, to simulated earthquake-like conditions and also measure how they perform under Buffalo's varying weather conditions.

The testing is necessary because many of the 590,000 bridges in the U.S. are old and need to be replaced or undergo retrofitting.  The results will produce better designs for new bridges and for the upgrade of current bridges.

Media arrangements: Ellen Goldbaum, UB media relations, (716) 645-4605 or (716) 771-9255 and Don Goralski, on site, at 716-472-3587.

MCEER, the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, headquartered at the University at Buffalo, is a national center of excellence in advanced technology applications dedicated to reducing losses from earthquake and other hazards nationwide.

Calspan Corporation is internationally recognized for proven excellence in technology and science, the company has built its reputation on a rich heritage of innovation. Calspan's corporate structure includes six operating groups, five in Buffalo: flight research, transonic wind tunnel, transportation research, crash data research, and systems integration and design; and one, Bicycleworks, located in Mojave CA.