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 15, 2007 - Engineers planning the replacement of the I 35W bridge over the Mississippi in Minneapolis were told today to be aware of issues which may slow their ambitious rebuilding schedule. Minnesota officials are promising the ribbon will be cut on a new span a year from this fall. However various local officials want planners to allow time for more public comment on the design of the new bridge. And University of Minnesota vice president for operations Kathleen O'Brien reminded state officials that removing the debris of the old span and construction of a new one will occur literally a few yards from one of the U's research facilities. State officials put the price tag of a new 35W bridge at $250 million. However, they say the cost could rise to well over $300 million when demolition and other expenses are added.
August 15, 2007 - The public will have a chance to weigh in on the preliminary bridge design at hearings this week. But some think this is too late to have a real impact on what the bridge will look like, or to make changes such as where the light rail line will be.
August 15, 2007 - Midday previews legislative hearings on new I-35W bridge reconstruction plans in a joint House-Senate transportation committee meeting, now that state transportation officials have unveiled a preliminary design. Gary Eichten talks with numerous legislators and takes listener calls.
August 15, 2007 - Keith Langseth, DFL senator, is chairman of the committee that approves various state building projects. He says he's concerned about how fast this process is moving. Republican representative Mary Liz Holberg comments. They will be at joint House/Senate hearing today on the 35w bridge collapse.
August 16, 2007 - Two more victims of the I-35W bridge collapse were identified today. Searchers recovered the bodies of 50-year-old Vera Peck of St. Anthony and 45-year-old Christina Sacorafas of White Bear Lake from two vehicles pulled out of the Mississippi River. As the recovery continues, the Minneapolis City Council is getting ready to weigh in on the conversation over rebuilding the bridge. The Minneapolis City Council is set to approve a set of principles it hopes will guide the reconstruction of the I-35W bridge. Council members debated the list today and Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams was there.
August 16, 2007 - One part of the 35w bridge collapse story that is quietly proceeding is how best to chronicle this tragic event for posterity. Right now, officials with the Minnesota Historical Society are trying to decide what artifacts need to be saved and how to document what occurred on the evening of August 1, 2007. One of the curators who is in on some of these discussions is Matt Anderson, who is with the historical society.
August 16, 2007 - As Minnesotans have increasingly learned over the last two weeks, a major factor in the deterioration of roads and bridges is vehicle traffic and its weight. One class of vehicles travels most of the state without any weight restrictions: farm vehicles. Minnesota Public Radio's Sea Stachura reports.
August 16, 2007 - The Minnesota Department of Transportation held a public meeting this afternoon . A large part of the hearing focused on the timeline of the rebuild and process. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports on the hearing and the experiences that other states have had in an accelerated bridge rebuild.
August 16, 2007 - The Minneapolis city council is in the process of approving a set of principles they'd like to see incorporated into the planning and building of the new I-35W bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
August 16, 2007 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten speaks with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, who has had to realign his budget priorities to consider road maintenance and repair in the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse. Rybak hopes a Special Session at the State Capitol will help solve some of the city's financial burdens.