Public Media from Michigan State University

Researcher to hang out under the Mackinac Bridge

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MSU researcher Nizar Lajnef plans to install these tiny monitors on the underside of the Mackinac Bridge next week.
Kenji Anno

A Michigan State University researcher will soon attach sensors to the underside of the Mackinac Bridge. Current State’s Scott Pohl talks with Nizar Lajnef about what he hopes to learn from studying the everyday stresses on Big Mac.

A Michigan State University study is aimed at doing a better job of monitoring the condition of American bridges. It starts next week.

Imagine lowering yourself under the Mackinac Bridge to install experimental sensors. That’s exactly what MSU associate professor of structural engineering Nizar Lajnef is about to do.

Lajnef tells Current State's Scott Pohl that the idea is to detect potential problems before they happen.

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Scott Pohl is a general assignment news reporter and produces news features and interviews. He is also an alternate local host on NPR's "Morning Edition."