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.
October 4, 2007 - An eight member panel is taking it's time in deciding whether to authorize state money to pay for a new I-35W bridge. The "Transportation Contingent Appropriations Group" is a group of senior lawmakers who have to decide whether the state should give $195 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Without the money, MnDOT Commissioner Carol Molnau says her department will have to delay other transportation projects in order to pay for the replacement bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck helps sort out the delay.
October 8, 2007 - A special panel of state lawmakers will meet again this week to discuss whether they should authorize state money for the I-35W bridge. It will be the third meeting on the Pawlenty Administration's request for state money to pay for the bridge. The administration is asking for the money because not all of the promised federal funding has come through. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck guides us through the confusing funding process that is being used to get the bridge rebuilt.
October 8, 2007 - The Minnesota Department of Transportation has officially awarded a contract to the Flatiron-Manson company for designing and building a new 35W bridge. MnDOT officials released some design sketches of the bridge this afternoon and talked about why Flatiron beat out two other firms for the $234 million dollar bridge contract. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has more.
October 8, 2007 - The state Department of Administration has recommended rejecting a protest filed by two losing bidders for theInterstate 35W bridge replacement. The companies had argued that the bidding process was flawed. The winning bid of nearly $234 million came from Flatiron Constructors and Manson Construction. It was the most expensive of the three bids and would take longest to complete. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has more.
October 9, 2007 - The plans have been unveiled, the contract is signed, and in spite of legal threats from contractors who lost the bidding process, surveying begins Tuesday for the new 35W bridge. Where does funding stand for the bridge project and other transportation priorities in Minnesota? The designers of the 35W bridge presented two options for the concrete piers that support the structure. A discussion on Midday.
October 9, 2007 - Officials with the construction team of Flatiron Manson will begin survey work today Tues for the new I-35W bridge. The move comes one day after the team signed a contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to rebuild the bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi River. But one factor could hold up the construction, a possible lawsuit by two of the teams that didn't win the bid. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports:
October 9, 2007 - The new bridge's design was unveiled yesterday. Tom Fisher, Dean of the University Minnesota's College of Design, comments.
October 10, 2007 - Now that the design of the new I-35W bridge has been unveiled, members of the public are getting a chance to weigh in on how it looks. Some people we talked with say the light-colored, concrete span looks a little drab. But everyone we spoke with said, the most important thing is, the new bridge should be safe and strong. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams has our report:
October 10, 2007 - State lawmakers say they intend to hold another hearing on a request by the Pawlenty Administration for spending authority for the new I-35W bridge. A special panel of eight lawmakers met yesterday and criticized the Minnesota Department of Transportation for signing a contract to build the bridge before the federal government has sent the money for the project. Several lawmakers also object to the size of the request and worry that they will give a disfunctional department too much money. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
October 11, 2007 - Duluth won't see any big ships going under the city's landmark aerial bridge for most of today, tomorrow and early next week. The span is getting a special inspection, following the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Aerial bridge supervisor, Ryan Beamer, says larger vessels will have to wait, or go elsewhere, between eight a.m. and four p.m.