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 12, 2007 - Some survivors of the 35W bridge collapse say they feel frustrated and forgotten. Kim Brown, who was on the bridge when it collapsed back in August, has sent a strongly worded letter to state and federal lawmakers, asking for the government help to pay bills and get survivors back on their feet. Another survivor, Lindsay Peterson, whose car plunged into the river, says she has mounting medical bills.
October 15, 2007 - Preliminary work to rebuild the I-35W bridge in downtown Minneapolis is underway this week, but it will be a long time before Minnesotans get over the tragic collapse that occurred Aug. 1. Most of us only saw the photographs and the videos, and heard the voices on the radio. But there are also the approximately 180 people who were actually on the bridge when it crumbled into the Mississippi River. Thirteen of them died and dozens were injured. Midday features MPR's Cathy Wurzer's interviews with two of the survivors. Lindsey Petterson and Erica Gwillim survived the collapse of the 35W bridge on Aug. 1 but were both injured in the accident.
October 15, 2007 - Three separate investigative teams are looking into the causes of the collapse of the I-35W bridge. Federal investigators aren't saying much about any of the analysis. A National Transportation and Safety Board spokesman says the board is still in the fact finding stage of its work. Minnesota Public Radio's Sea Stachura reports the process can be a long one and sometimes the findings are not as solid as investigators might hope.
October 15, 2007 - A special panel of state lawmakers has given the Minnesota Department of Transportation greater spending authority to rebuild the I-35W bridge. But the money is just a third of what MnDOT was asking for. MnDOT officials say the decision could force them to delay construction of some other road and bridge projects but Democrats in control of the Legislature don't see it that way. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 18, 2007 - The designers of the replacement for the collapsed 35-W bridge say the new span's components will accommodate expansion and contraction in Minnesota's extreme temperatures. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports. .
October 18, 2007 - Investigators are reportedly looking at whether rusted plates may been a factor in the collapse of the I-35-W bridge in Minneapolis. The Star Tribune is also reporting that the National Transportation Safety Board is considering heat as a possible factor in the collapse. Linda Figg is the head designer of the replacement span. She says the new bridge will be built with expansion joints that can withstand Minnesota's hot summers and cold winters. Figg says designers will use that latest technology in order to build a state of the art bridge.
October 19, 2007 - On this Midmorning program, MPR’s Kerri Miller talks with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak about the politics of the funding and design of the I-35W bridge replacement. He also talks about the new settlement on reducing airport noise for some homeowners, one that took years to achieve, and answers listener questions.
October 19, 2007 - Investigators are reportedly looking at whether rusted plates may been a factor in the collapse of the I-35-W bridge in Minneapolis. The Star Tribune is also reporting that the National Transportation Safety Board is considering heat as a possible factor in the collapse. Linda Figg is the head designer of the replacement span. She says the new bridge will be built with expansion joints that can withstand Minnesota's hot summers and cold winters. Figg says designers will use that latest technology in order to build a state of the art bridge.
October 19, 2007 - The designers of the replacement for the collapsed 35-W bridge say the new span's components will accommodate expansion and contraction in Minnesota's extreme temperatures. Minnesota Public Radio's Toni Randolph reports.
October 23, 2007 - A law firm representing I-35 bridge victims has hired a forensic engineering company that investigated the collapse of the world trade center towers. Robins Kaplan hired the New York firm to determine why the I-35 Bridge collapsed in August. As Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, the chief investigator has a unique connection to Minneapolis. {Within hours of the September 11th attacks, the FAA ordered all planes to land at the nearest airport. For structural engineer, Manny Velivasakis that meant his flight from New York to Vancouver was diverted to Minneapolis. After he had deplaned, he watched airport TVs showing black smoke enveloping the trade center site.