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 3, 2007 - Workers from the Minnesota Department of Transportation spent the day (FRIDAY) inspecting three bridges across the region. Governor Pawlenty ordered the immediate inspection of bridges at St. Cloud, Sandstone and Osceola, Wisconsin because they're similar in construction to the collapsed 35-W bridge. MnDOT's Cathy Clark says inspectors are looking for cracks that might weaken the bridges. She says they're also using high tech equipment to determine the strengh of the bridges from the inside.
August 3, 2007 - The next steps in the bridge investigation.Broadcast: Midmorning, 08/03/2007, 9:06 a.m.A former National Safety Transportation Board official and a structural engineer join Midmorning to talk about the investigation process into the bridge collapse, and what's been learned from past bridge failures. Guests: Jon Hanson: distinguished professor emeritus of Structural Engineering and Mechanics at North Carolina State University. He worked on several bridge failure investigations with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, a forensic engineering firm. Barry Sweedler: is a partner with Safety and Policy Analysis International. During his 31 years with the National Transportation Safety Board, he was involved in several accident investigations, include TWA Flight 800.
August 3, 2007 - The long road to recovery. Broadcast: Midday, 08/03/2007, 11:00 a.m. While the search for the missing and unaccounted for victims of the I-35W bridge collapse, key legislators start the debate about how best to support the state as it moves forward in the recovery phase.
August 3, 2007 - This morning, commuters Helms reports on MnDOT's reroute plan and what's in store for commuters during the re-construction period.
August 3, 2007 - Minneapolis's interstate bridge collapse has caught the attention of the world. Federal officials flew to the state yesterday (Thursday) to pledge financial and technical support for the recovery effort. Members of the news media from far and wide also flocked to the accident site. And over the next 24 hours, both President Bush and his wife Laura will make separate visits to the city.In stark contrast to all of the attention is the recovery effort itself. Very little progress has been made so far. The number of confirmed dead remains unchanged at four, with 20 to 30 people still reported missing. As Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports, it's an indication of the enormous challenges facing the recovery workers.{
August 3, 2007 - Citizen journalists cover bridge collapse. The Minnesotans who documented Wednesday's collapse of the I-35W bridge proved again, just as in the aftermath of the London underground bombing and other disasters, that journalism can be an activity as much as it is a profession.
August 3, 2007 - *For Fri M.E.* Gov. Tim Pawlenty has ordered an immediate inspection of all Minnesota bridges that have a design like the one that collapsed. Federal officials have also alerted states to immediately inspect all bridges similar to the I-35W bridge. Meanwhile, National Transportation Safety Board investigators say they have a strong chance of determining why Minnesota's busiest bridge fell. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports:
August 3, 2007 - Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has the latest on the 35W bridge collapse
August 3, 2007 -
August 3, 2007 - The long road to recovery. Broadcast: Midday, 08/03/2007, 11:00 a.m. While the search for the missing and unaccounted for victims of the I-35W bridge collapse, key legislators start the debate about how best to support the state as it moves forward in the recovery phase.