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 13, 2007 - The preliminary design for the new Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River will be unveiled Tuesday. The Minnesota Department of Transportation isn't revealing much about the new design other than to confirm that the bridge will have ten lanes. The public will get a chance to comment on the design at a meeting in Roseville Thursday. But MnDOT Communications Director Lucy Kender acknowledges that the public may not have much say in the final plan. She says federal emergency funds limit the design choices.
August 13, 2007 - Five MnDOT bridge inspection crews have been dispatched this week to examine so-called "fracture critical" bridges around Minnesota. "Fracture critical" bridges are a special concern because the bridges can collapse unexpectedly if they develop a serious fracture. Statewide Bridge Inspection Program Manager Duane Hill says MnDOT inspectors will examine all state highway bridges that are longer than 20-feet by the end of the year. But he says special priority is being given now to certain bridges that carry a lot of weight and have a lot of traffic.
August 13, 2007 - It now appears the Minnesota Department of Transportation is willing to consider a future light rail component for the new 35W bridge. State transportation officials have said it's too expensive and will cause too much delay to change the route of the already planned Central Corridor light rail line to use the new 35W bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
August 13, 2007 - It's unlikely the next bridge will resemble the I-35W bridge that failed. Midmorning talks with bridge design experts about what new bridges are made of and how they're constructed.
August 14, 2007 - MnDOT press conference on new preliminary design for bridge with Bob McFarlane and MnDOT design managers Tom O'Keefe and Jon Chiglo. Design at this point is map of where new bridge will go, how many lanes on each side, etc. Bids will provide actual physical designs.
August 14, 2007 - State transportation officials unveiled a preliminary sketch for the new Interstate 35W bridge. The drawing reveals few details about the new bridge, aside from its general size and the number of lanes it will contain. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the sketch will guide contractors who will use the information to work up detailed proposals for the new bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
August 14, 2007 - The Hennepin County Sheriff's office says no more bodies were recovered from the site of the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis today. But five cars were removed from the river. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
August 14, 2007 - The preliminary design for the new Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River will be unveiled tomorrow. The Minnesota Department of Transportation isn't revealing much about the new design other than to confirm that the bridge will have ten lanes. The public will get a chance to comment on the design at a meeting in Roseville Thursday. But MnDOT Communications Director Lucy Kender acknowledges that the public may not have much say in the final plan. She says federal emergency funds limit the design choices.
August 14, 2007 - Five MnDOT bridge inspection crews have been dispatched this week to examine so-called "fracture critical" bridges around Minnesota. "Fracture critical" bridges are a special concern because the bridges can collapse unexpectedly if they develop a serious fracture. Statewide Bridge Inspection Program Manager Duane Hill says MnDOT inspectors will examine all state highway bridges that are longer than 20 feet by the end of the year. But he says special priority is being given now to certain bridges that carry a lot of weight and have a lot of traffic.
August 14, 2007 - It now appears the Minnesota Department of Transportation is willing to consider a future light rail component for the new I-35W bridge. State transportation officials have said it's too expensive and will cause too much delay to change the route of the already planned Central Corridor light rail line to use the new I-35W bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.