October 8, 2007 - A new report on the economy of northeastern Minnesota calls into question the value of mining jobs. The region is poised to add more than a thousand high-paying jobs in several new mining projects. But the report's author says the region should think hard about whether those jobs will fulfill the promises their backers are making. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
October 8, 2007 - A special panel of state lawmakers will meet again this week to discuss whether they should authorize state money for the I-35W bridge. It will be the third meeting on the Pawlenty Administration's request for state money to pay for the bridge. The administration is asking for the money because not all of the promised federal funding has come through. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck guides us through the confusing funding process that is being used to get the bridge rebuilt.
October 8, 2007 - The Minnesota Department of Transportation has officially awarded a contract to the Flatiron-Manson company for designing and building a new 35W bridge. MnDOT officials released some design sketches of the bridge this afternoon and talked about why Flatiron beat out two other firms for the $234 million dollar bridge contract. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has more.
October 8, 2007 - The state Department of Administration has recommended rejecting a protest filed by two losing bidders for theInterstate 35W bridge replacement. The companies had argued that the bidding process was flawed. The winning bid of nearly $234 million came from Flatiron Constructors and Manson Construction. It was the most expensive of the three bids and would take longest to complete. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has more.
October 9, 2007 - The plans have been unveiled, the contract is signed, and in spite of legal threats from contractors who lost the bidding process, surveying begins Tuesday for the new 35W bridge. Where does funding stand for the bridge project and other transportation priorities in Minnesota? The designers of the 35W bridge presented two options for the concrete piers that support the structure. A discussion on Midday.
October 9, 2007 - Officials with the construction team of Flatiron Manson will begin survey work today Tues for the new I-35W bridge. The move comes one day after the team signed a contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to rebuild the bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi River. But one factor could hold up the construction, a possible lawsuit by two of the teams that didn't win the bid. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports:
October 9, 2007 - The new bridge's design was unveiled yesterday. Tom Fisher, Dean of the University Minnesota's College of Design, comments.
October 10, 2007 - Now that the design of the new I-35W bridge has been unveiled, members of the public are getting a chance to weigh in on how it looks. Some people we talked with say the light-colored, concrete span looks a little drab. But everyone we spoke with said, the most important thing is, the new bridge should be safe and strong. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams has our report:
October 10, 2007 - State lawmakers say they intend to hold another hearing on a request by the Pawlenty Administration for spending authority for the new I-35W bridge. A special panel of eight lawmakers met yesterday and criticized the Minnesota Department of Transportation for signing a contract to build the bridge before the federal government has sent the money for the project. Several lawmakers also object to the size of the request and worry that they will give a disfunctional department too much money. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
October 11, 2007 - The big hurryup to get the new 35W bridge built means working through a Minnesota winter. And even with our recent history of warmer than normal winters it can still get pretty darn cold in January and February. Not to worry, the bridge builders say. We've been building structures for decades in cold weather they point out. The secret according to the engineers is keeping the fingers, the water and the sand warm. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.