We can't spend our $$$$$ on bridge upkeep! Those $$$$$ must go to Ukraine!!
What, exactly, from a maintenance perspective could have been done to keep this bridge standing after a strike from a 95,128 ton ship?
A robust bridge fendering system.
A fender trying to stop a 100K plus ton ship moving at two or three knots, there isn't a fender in the world that would stop it.
I suspect that the vessel was going a bit faster than that, but there are fendering systems that will prevent direct contact with the bridge. I have seen islands of rock built around bridge support structures. Some extending over 100 yards away. That would have prevented this. That option may not be practical for that location, but I'll bet when the bridge is rebuilt, they'll find a way to substantially improve upon the previous system.
