Discussion on:

How wireless sensors could prevent another bridge collapse

Sorry, University of Maryland, sounds like you need to get out of the lab and look around once in a while.

The 35W (Minneapolis) bridge was finished being rebuilt over three years ago, and incorporates "de-icing systems,corrosion monitors and sensors to monitor it's structural behavior", which are monitored by the State of MN and the University of MN. The system is called "Smart Bridge Technology" and was created by the Smart Bridge Technology company in Tallahassee, FL.

Yes, your system is claimed to be less expensive and wireless, whereas the 35W bridge is wired, so there's no doubt that you're making some great improvements to the system. But that is NOT the same as creating the technology, and your statement that "There has been no practice of using technologies like this on bridges" is clearly untrue. Some kudos are deserved, but let's keep things honest.

In its concept ludicrous. Bridge will have to be repaired and replaced. All structures will have to be maintained. The cost of doing this is part of the cost of the bridge.
Whoever came up with the paragraph:
"Replacement is not an option because of the capital costs needed and, in a lot of cases, shutting down these bridges to replace them would significantly disrupt traffic and have a big impact on the economy. The best choice is to develop technologies to monitor the development of issues that could compromise the integrity of the bridge."
will have to have his head examined. It is the general "head in the sand" attitude which seems to be prevalent in the USA.

The concept of instrumenting and monitoring bridge structures dates bact to at least 1968' maybe earlier. Newman Osborne Research of Dallas developed a wired strategically placed strain gauge system and had some progress in taking this to the commercial market. Final commercial success not known.
Notwithstanding the safety monitoring, catastrophe failure prediction and reporting benefits, the maintenance and ultimate replacement cost remain virtually unchanged.