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I assume that construction was to repair the surface of what is called the expansion joint. Using the maps and pictures, that expansion joint is located directly above support rollers for the south end. A bridge must expand and contract. Those rollers permit that change. But I understand one of the south support rollers had seized and was repaired.
Well that expansion joint would be directly above those rollers. I doubt construction on that expansion joint caused a failure. However they may have been fixing a symptom. The reasons for that expansion joint repair may have been due to fatigue orginally created by that seized south support roller.
Obviously this is all speculation. Photos only provide dots that the engineer's analysis must connect with lines to explain the entire failure.
I had heard expansion joints were repaired. That picture may be that expansion joint. Not described is why repair is necessary. Was the defective expansion joint due to a growing bridge fatigue? Curiously, that expansion joint is directly over what I am guessing is the support roller that seized.
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