University Park, Pa. — Despite a record level of investment since 2003, Pennsylvania leads the nation for the number of bridges — nearly 6,000 — ranked as "structurally deficient" or in need of costly repairs or replacement. Penn State President Graham Spanier invites his guests, two transportation and engineering experts, to discuss bridge safety, repair and replacement during "To The Best Of My Knowledge." The live call-in show airs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM.
Spanier's guests are Andrea Schokker and Linda Figg. Schokker is the Henderson professor of civil engineering and faculty associate at The Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute. Figg is president and chief executive officer of Figg Engineering Group. She is the lead designer of the winning bridge plan to replace the I-35W bridge that collapsed last summer in Minneapolis, Minn. Her firm also designed the new Susquehanna Turnpike Bridge in Harrisburg and the upcoming Allegheny River Bridge in Pittsburgh.
Viewers and listeners may join the conversation with questions or comments by calling (800) 543-8242 or e-mailing response@psu.edu during the broadcast.
A monthly feature on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM, "To the Best of My Knowledge" features Penn State faculty, local experts and national guests in discussions on a variety of topics. In its 10th year of production, the program reaches viewers, Web users and listeners and allows the audience to communicate directly with Penn State's president.