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.
September 21, 2007 - Another controversy has emerged in connection to the I-35W bridge reconstruction. State transportation officials are asking a special legislative panel for the authority to spend an additional $195 million. That's the amount of emergency money still due from the federal government to help pay for a new bridge. But a key DFL lawmaker accuses the Pawlenty administration of using a backdoor maneuver to avoid a broader debate of transportation funding. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
September 25, 2007 - Governor Tim Pawlenty says there's been a misunderstanding over the potential impact of the 35W bridge reconstruction on other projects. DFL lawmakers have been warning that other road and bridge work will likely be put on hold so the Minnesota Department of Transportation can pay for the new 35W bridge. The Republican governor says there will be no delays if a legislative panel simply approves MnDOT's request for increased spending authority. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
September 26, 2007 - A commission, made up of Minnesota Legislative leaders, will meet to discuss whether MN-DOT can increase its spending authority by 195 million dollars. Congress has promised it will appropriate those funds to pay for a new 35W bridge. If the Legislative Advisory Committee does not grant the request, 200 other construction projects could be delayed while funds are diverted to the 35W project. Governor Pawlenty said there's no legal or logical reason for lawmakers to block the request. DFL Senate Transportation Committee Chair Steve Murphy is one of the eight members of the Legislative Advisory Committee and comments on the situation.
September 28, 2007 - In response to the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis the state of Wisconsin will begin installing sensors that detect areas of strain on some 14 bridges in the state. The bridges are of similar design to one that collapsed in Minneapolis and many of the bridges that will be monitored are on the border areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Finn Hubbard is Wisconsin's chief bridge engineer. He says the sensors are being installed on an experimental basis to get an idea of the kinds of stress the Badger State's bridges are under.
October 1, 2007 - The state has picked a team to design and build the new Interstate 35W bridge, but the politicians are still wrangling over how it's going to be paid for. Meanwhile, some state legislators are calling for major changes at the state Department of Transportation. Midmorning looks at bridge progress.
October 1, 2007 - Minnesota transportation officials say the cost of the 35W bridge collapse and replacement will be 143 million dollars more than earlier projections. MnDoT officials now peg the total expense at $393 million. The news came as the Pawlenty Administration urged a panel of senior lawmakers to approve funds for the bridge replacement. But some lawmakers say they want the entire Legislature to decide the funding in a special session. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 2, 2007 - The Pawlenty administration on Monday urged top legislative leaders to free up 195-million dollars for replacing the Interstate 35W bridge. MnDot's fast-track timetable for replacing the Mississippi River crossing in Minneapolis calls for work to begin in a couple of weeks. But, the state has yet to receive a large chunk of promised federal money. So the Transportation Contingent Appropriation Group must provide authorization for using state funds. DFL leaders say it might not be legal for them to do that. State Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson tried to convince the panel's chair, DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, that the request is not out of the ordinary.
October 3, 2007 - The DFL heads of the state House and Senate join Midday to discuss the ongoing controversy over funding to rebuild the collapsed 35W bridge, as well as the state's transportation funding in general.
October 3, 2007 - The legislature's top-ranking Democrat has joined the call for Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau to resign her other job as state transportation commissioner. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher of Minneapolis said today she's concerned about Molnau's ability to run the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Legislators also launched another investigation of the state agency in connection with the 35W bridge collapse. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
October 3, 2007 - A special panel of state lawmakers, investigating the 35-W bridge collapse, meets for the first time this morning 11am-1pm at the Minnesota Capitol. Co-chair, DFL Representative Bernie Lieder, of Crookston, says the focus will be on MN-DOT's bridge inspection program--not the collapse of the 35-W bridge itself.