Roller coaster's problems continue

Since it opened in January 1997, the Manhattan Express experienced a series of breakages in its first seven months of operation. Tension rods would either bend, break or snap off the steel structure. The threaded bars act as braces, serving to minimize vibration and protect the tracks.

Ron Lynn, assistant director of the county's building department, said while the problems haven't been eliminated, they are occurring with less frequency as the ride is modified.

The most recent breakage involving one of the bars occurred four months ago, Lynn said.

"Every single day it is being reviewed," he said.

The resort is installing new tension bars during the coaster's downtime, he said. A new cabling system is also being installed.

Still, he said, the ride is safe. Even when breakages were more frequent, county officials said there should be no fears about boarding the $18 million thrill ride that seats as many as 80 passengers.

"Every time you replace one (tension bar) it puts stresses in different places," Lynn said. "It changes the dynamics of the structure."

The bars are being replaced at a rate of about three per week. The job should be finished within a few months, Lynn said.

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