Tragedy On Bay Bridge Leads Woman To Advocate For Safety

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- WJZ investigates the tragic death of a truck driver who plunged off the Bay Bridge and the dangers uncovered following the crash.  For the first time, his widow is talking about why his death could have been prevented, and her mission to make sure others don't die the same way.

Adam May has her courageous story.

"I want to change it so other people on the bridges are safe," said Connie Short, truck driver's widow.

Connie Short is a widow turned activist.

Two years ago her husband, truck driver John Short, swerved to avoid an oncoming car on the Bay Bridge during two-way traffic. His tractor-trailer flew over the side, crashing through the concrete barriers.

Connie Short just recently decided she was going to drive over the bridge.

"I just started going across it a year ago," she said. "The first time I went over, I was with friends, and I closed my eyes and cried all the way across."

The investigation into her husband's accident revealed a serious safety hazard--corrosion that went undetected for decades.

In fact, 10 percent of bolts securing the jersey walls to the Bay Bridge were broken.

Connie Short filed a civil lawsuit hoping to pressure state and federal government to make safety improvements. She got more than she imagined.

Maryland has now invested more than $5 million in repairs to the barriers. The National Transportation Safety Board recently recommended drastic changes to the National Bridge Inspection Program. They have asked all states to use infrared, ultrasound or other new technologies that can spot corrosion inside concrete barriers.

John Short's accident, therefore, triggered changes to bridge inspections across the country.

"I thought it was just for Maryland, but it's for the whole United States for inspections. That's great," said Short.

Connie Short is still pushing for changes on the Bay Bridge.

"I'd like to have a new bridge, but I don't think that will happen," said Short.

Most deadly accidents on the Bay Bridge, including John's, happen during two-way traffic. To improve safety and ease congestion, some state lawmakers do want to begin looking at the possibility of a new bridge.

"If we don't do it, we just stick our heads in the sand, and say the problems are going away. It's not," said Senator E.J. Pipkin, (R) District 36.

But Governor Martin O'Malley and the Department of Transportation tell WJZ the state simply doesn't have the money.

"Money is always an issue when you're talking about transportation projects because it's not just a bridge. What the bridge would bring with it would have to be all the infrastructure of roads that would have to lead up to it and lead away from it," said Jack Cahalan, Maryland Department of Transportation.

"The challenge is since the accident, it's become apparent that there were things that needed to be done and hopefully going forward they are going to be done," said Pipkin.

Still, Connie Short isn't giving up, using her sorrow as motivation.

"I can go to some restaurants and eat by myself, but you go and you see couples, and I say 'Why isn't that me?' But God has a reason and he left me here to do something," said Short.

Government officials predict a new bridge could eat up 30 percent of the state's transportation fund.