August 13, 2007 - It now appears the Minnesota Department of Transportation is willing to consider a future light rail component for the new 35W bridge. State transportation officials have said it's too expensive and will cause too much delay to change the route of the already planned Central Corridor light rail line to use the new 35W bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
August 14, 2007 - Former Minnesota transportation commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg provides analysis of the jockeying around the design of the new 35W bridge. He served under Governor Ventura and now runs a transportation consulting firm.
August 14, 2007 - It now appears the Minnesota Department of Transportation is willing to consider a future light rail component for the new I-35W bridge. State transportation officials have said it's too expensive and will cause too much delay to change the route of the already planned Central Corridor light rail line to use the new I-35W bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
August 15, 2007 - State lawmakers will weigh in today on the proposed design for a new 35w bridge. That design, released yesterday, calls for ten lanes for traffic. That's one more in each direction but right now, it doesn't include room for a future light rail line. At today's hearing before a joint session of the House and Senate transportation committees, lawmakers will hear from leaders at MnDOT and the Metropolitan Council. But Republican state representative Mary Liz Holberg says she was hoping to also hear from Minneapolis city officials.
August 15, 2007 - When the I 35-W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed two weeks ago sales at some nearby businesses fell with it. Some firms near the bridge say they've lost patrons. Others say business has actually picked up.Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has this look at the patchwork of effects.
August 15, 2007 - A joint House-Senate committee has just completed a hearing this afternoon on the I-35W bridge design. State lawmakers pressed officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on what the design will look like, the quick timeline on getting the bridge rebuilt and whether MnDOT listen to the concerns of the public in the design. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has more.
August 16, 2007 - As Minnesotans have increasingly learned over the last two weeks, a major factor in the deterioration of roads and bridges is vehicle traffic and its weight. One class of vehicles travels most of the state without any weight restrictions: farm vehicles. Minnesota Public Radio's Sea Stachura reports.
August 17, 2007 - Minnesota transportation officials have lots of public input to consider as they continue planning a new 35W bridge in Minneapolis. Hundreds of Twin Cities residents took advantage of their first chance to sound off about the replacement bridge at an open house in Roseville last night. Minnesota Public Radio's Jess Mador was there and has this report.
August 17, 2007 - Governor Pawlenty says the new I-35W bridge can be designed to hold light rail without causing significant delays to its construction. The news is encouraging to Minneapolis city officials who've advocated for the inclusion of rail transit in the new bridge plan. The governor added that such plans will be costly, although he gave no dollar estimates. MPR's Brandt Williams reports.
August 22, 2007 - President Bush is promising a "flood of help" for people in southeastern Minnesota. He's also pledging quick federal help to replace the 35-W bridge. Bush made the comments on a trip to Minnesota yesterday. He was in the Twin Cities to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Republican Senator Norm Coleman's re-election effort. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.