Distinguished Lecture: The Queen Isabela Causeway Bridge Collapse Detection
James Mercier will be travelling to Colorado Springs all the way from Texas to share this Distinguished Lecture with us, and explain both how the Electrical and the Traffic Engineering involved to make this Bridge project functional. The event is a part of the IEEE Distinguished Lecturer program, which offers a list of renowned and exceptional lecturers who each possess specialist knowledge within their field.
The Queen Isabela Causeway Bridge Collapse Detection
James Mercier, PE
IEEE Central Texas Section Treasurer & Senior Upgrade Coordinator
On September 14, 2001, an errant barge damaged the bridge between Port Isabel and Padre Island in south Texas. Five people died when they drove off the opened bridge in the dark. After the structure was repaired and reopened, James Mercier was tasked with designing and installing a way of warning drivers that the bridge had been damaged. The system restored local confidence in the repaired structure.
Enjoy a box lunch provided by Life Members group and tour the unique Peel House at First Lutheran - the former home of William and Patti Jewett. This mansion in the Old North End of Colorado Springs was built in 1905 and occupied a half city block including house, carriage house, and elegant gardens. The Jewett's built one of the first golf courses west of the Mississippi and donated it to the city - The Patty Jewett Golf Course. Today, it's known as the Peel House at First Lutheran housing meetings and conferences by local non-profits.
Sign up soon, only 15 spots for this lunch meeting. Lunch boxes from Jersey Mike's Subs include chips and cookie. Water, Lemonade, Soft Drinks provided. If we exceed this number, please call me at 719-661-7889. We may be able to expand registration.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
- Date: 16 Jul 2024
- Time: 11:30 AM to 01:00 PM
- All times are (UTC-06:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)
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- 1515 North Cascade
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- United States 80907
- Building: Peel House
- Starts 01 July 2024 12:00 AM
- Ends 14 July 2024 12:00 AM
- All times are (UTC-06:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)
- 4 in-person spaces left!
- No Admission Charge
- Menu: Original Italian, Roast Beef & Provolone, Club Sub, BLT, Veggie
Speakers
Jim of IEEE Central Texas Section
Bridges: Actually They Are Very Safe (In This Country)
Biography:
James Mercier is a professional engineer in Texas and Ohio and a Texas licensed Master Electrician. He is a American Society of Civil Engineers Life Member and IEEE Life Senior Member. He served in the Air Force, did a four-year Apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers becoming a Journeyman Wireman. He was trained in industrial and commercial wiring. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with BS in Civil Engineering and worked as an Environmental Engineer in the private sector. He was hired by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) where he worked in the Roadway Illumination and Traffic Signals Division. He later worked in the TxDOT Bridge Division Hydraulics specialized in river and stream flows through culverts and bridges where he used his electrical experience to design a collapse detection and motorist warning system for a bridge in south Texas. He retired in 2015 and concentrates on serving the IEEE.
Agenda
Lunch
Presentation
Tour the House and Grounds