August 1, 2007 - The are certain moments in time that people can reflect exactly where they were when it happened (i.e.- Challenger disaster, 9/11 terrorist attack). For many Minnesotans, the collapse of 35W bridge in Minneapolis is one of those moments.
August 2, 2007 - MPR Special Coverage of government and city officials giving morning news conference on day after I-35W bridge collapse. Speakers include R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis; Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota; Amy Peters, U.S. secretary of transportation; Norm Coleman, U.S. senator; Amy Klobuchar, U.S. senator; Keith Ellison, U.S. representative, Tim Dolan, Minneapolis police chief; Jim Clack, Minneapolis fire chief; and Mark Rosenker, chairman of National Transportation Safety Board. Topics include the recovery efforts, first responders, government relief, initial local reaction, and investigations going forward. Speakers also answer reporter questions.
August 2, 2007 - MPR Special Coverage of R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis; and Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota, giving afternoon news conference on day after I-35W bridge collapse. Topics include the human loss, family privacy, first responders, road closures, and bridge inspections. Both Rybak and Pawlenty also answer reporter questions.
August 3, 2007 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says it's unclear when two bridges across the Mississippi will be reopened. The 10th Avenue and the Stone Arch bridges have been closed since Wednesday evening's collapse of the nearby 35W bridge. Both spans are within the investigation perimeter set up by law enforcement officials. Rybak said the downriver 10th Avenue bridge will need to stay off limits while the recovery efforts continue. But he says he would like see access restored to the Stone Arch bridge as early as next week.
August 7, 2007 - Officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation are hoping that construction crews can begin rebuilding the I-35W bridge by mid-September. Governor Pawlenty, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Transportation Commssioner Carol Molnau met today at 6 a.m. They hope to narrow the list by Friday and have a company selected by September 1st.
August 8, 2007 - The collapse of the I-35W bridge has sparked widespread concern about how transportation infrastructure is maintained. Midday guests Phil Krinkie and Dee Long discuss how much we should spend on our roads, and where that money should come from. The two also answer listener call-in questions.
August 9, 2007 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says he told Minnesota Transportation officials he's worried plans are moving too fast to build a 35-W replacement bridge.
August 9, 2007 - St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman says there are encouraging signs that state government will spend what's needed to replace two aging bridges in the city. The Cayuga (ky-YOO-gah) bridge is still in daily use even though it was supposed to be replaced three years ago. St. Paul's Lafayette Bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2011. But, Coleman says that's too long to wait. The 39-year-old bridge has a history of structural problems similar to those found in inspections of the now collapsed 35W bridge. Coleman says he's been in touch with Governor Pawlenty about the timetable for replacing the bridges...
August 9, 2007 - On this Midmorning program, MPR’s Kerri Miller talks with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, who reflects on the response to the I-35W bridge collapse, and the area's struggle to return to normal life. Rybak also answers listener questions.
August 10, 2007 - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters press conference announcing fed money for bridge repair and reconstruction. She was joined by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and members of the Minnesota congressional delegation, including Sen. Norm Coleman, Reps. John Kline, Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison, and National Transportation Safety Board chairman Mark Rosenker.