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 2, 2007 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty has ordered an immediate inspection of all Minnesota bridges that have a similar design to the one that collapsed. Pawlenty said he did not know how many bridges have that design. Meanwhile, Federal investigators say they have a strong chance of determing why the state's busiest bridge fell. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Minnesota Department of Transportation Engineer Dan Dorgan says that in the 1990's, investigators found fatigue cracks on the bridge but subsequent inspections showed no additional cracks or that that the existing cracks were growing.
August 2, 2007 - Yesterday's bridge collapse offered many dramatic images. One of the most horrifying may have been the sight of a yellow school bus stranded on a section of the bridge. Dozens of Minneapolis school children were returning from a field trip when their bus fell from the bridge. According to witnesses, all the children made it out of the bus through the rear emergency exit, some sustained only minor injuries. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
August 2, 2007 - Federal officials arrive in the Twin Cities today (Thursday) to investigate the collapse of the eight-lane I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. The National Transportation Safety Board says it's sending a team of investigators to accompany the board's chairman. Governor Tim Pawlenty says two state inspections in the past two years found no structural problems with the bridge that collapsed. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: {The 40-year-old bridge was considered a bit of a marvel when in 2001 it became the first of its kind in the U.S. to be equipped with an anti-icing system. A computerized system sprayed an anti-icing chemical based on sensors that collected data on pavement temperature, ice and moisture. About 140-thousand vehicles traveled over the bridge each day.
August 2, 2007 - Governor Tim Pawlenty has ordered an immediate inspection of all Minnesota bridges that have a design like the I-35-W bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis. Former Minnesota Transportation Commissioner, Elwyn Tinklenberg, spoke on today's Midday program. He says a study in 2001 looked at the structural issues of the state's bridges. Tinklenberg says that report did not find any imminent danger on the 35-W bridge but it pointed out things to monitor and such as evidence of fatigue on the bridge.
August 2, 2007 - One St. Paul resident looked out her car window last night (wed) as the bridge on 35-W collapsed, and she thought she'd never leave the car alive.Two brothers who were in another vehicle say their survival instincts kicked in when their car plunged off the bridge into the water, along with tons of concrete and twisted metal. have been confirmed from the I-35W bridge collapse so far. What's amazing is the number of people who survived. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie brings us some of their stories.{
August 2, 2007 - When it comes to commerce, three modes of travel are affected by this bridge collapse - truck, barge and train. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Caputo took a look at how the shipment of goods and services will slow down - and whether it will slow down the economy.
August 2, 2007 - At least seven people are confirmed dead and dozens are injured or missing after last night's collapse of a freeway bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. The Interstate-35 bridge fell more than 60 feet during the evening rush hour. Ramone Hough (HUE) was on his way home from work in Minneapolis. He was in heavy traffic driving onto the bridge when he heard a noise.
August 2, 2007 - The morning after an interstate bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River, authorities lowered the number of confirmed fatalities to four, but said they expect the number to change throughout the day. The Interstate-35 bridge spans some 500 feet of the river as it winds past downtown Minneapolis. The search for victims was called off as darkness fell. And rescue workers say they will continue what they're now calling a recovery operation.
August 3, 2007 - 35W Bridge Collapse MPR continuous coverage
August 3, 2007 - 35W Bridge Collapse MPR continuous coverage