On Aug. 1, 2007, the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed into the Mississippi River during evening rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring more than 140.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board later concluded a design flaw as the likely cause of the collapse. Investigators also cited additional weight from construction-related materials on the bridge when it collapsed as a contributing factor.
Minneapolis officials have dedicated a Remembrance Garden memorial honoring the 13 people who died and the injured.
August 6, 2007 - Local officials say they hope help from federal sources will lead to progress in the search for missing people following last Wednesday's bridge collapse. Crews from the Navy and the FBI joined the search Monday, bringing with them fresh manpower and sophisticated equipment, including an unmanned submarine. Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek remarks.
August 6, 2007 - Traffic is heavier along Hwy. I-94 as a result of the detours around the I-35W bridge. Highway 280 is flowing moderately.
August 6, 2007 - The 35W bridge collapse is shining a spotlight on bridge safety around the country. Midmorning's guests talk about the challenges of improving the nation's infrastructure.
August 7, 2007 - Dozens of people survived the 35W bridge collapse. Some were seriously injured; others escaped with minor injuries. But all are experiencing the emotions that come after surviving a brush with death. Experts say understanding those emotions will take time and patience. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
August 7, 2007 - MnDOT says the 35W bridge was fully capable of carrying the some 140,000 cars and trucks that used it at the time of its collapse last week. Transportation officials won't speculate on whether the amount of traffic somehow contributed to the failure of the bridge. However, the head of the University of Minnesota engineering department says increased traffic on a bridge experiencing fatigue will shorten its life span. When it collapsed, the 35W bridge was 40 years old, but its life span was predicted to be 50 years. Minnesota Public Radio's Sea Stachura reports.
August 7, 2007 - The push to rebuild the I-35W bridge is on the "fastest of fast tracks" with the hopes that the new bridge will be built by the end of next year. Officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation are accepting applications from companies that intend to bid on the job, through tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
August 7, 2007 - Officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation are hoping that construction crews can begin rebuilding the I-35W bridge by mid-September. Governor Pawlenty, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Transportation Commssioner Carol Molnau met today at 6 a.m. They hope to narrow the list by Friday and have a company selected by September 1st.
August 7, 2007 - Local officials say they hope help from federal sources will lead to progress in the search for missing people following last Wednesday's bridge collapse. Crews from the Navy and the FBI joined the search yesterday, bringing with them fresh manpower and sophisticated equipment, including an unmanned submarine. Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek comments.
August 7, 2007 - A consultant's report last summer warned the Minnesota Department of Transportation that the areas of the Interstate 35W bridge that were hardest to see were considered most susceptible to fatigue cracking. The consultant told state officials that if a crack did occur from some unusual causes it wasn't likely that it would be discovered quickly. Bob McFarlin, assistant to transportation commissioner Carol Molnau, does not dispute the report's warning. But he told MPR that the National Transportation Safety Board will look at all inspection reports as part of its investigation.
August 7, 2007 - Designers and builders face a Wednesday morning deadline to show they're qualified to bid on the 35W bridge replacement project. State transportation officials have put the project on a fast track. They plan to award contracts next month, with the goal of having a new bridge standing at the end of 2008. Bob McFarlin, assistant to state transportation commissioner Carol Molnau, says the design of a new bridge has not yet been determined. But he says advanced engineering and technology will be included.