October 15, 2007 - Three separate investigative teams are looking into the causes of the collapse of the I-35W bridge. Federal investigators aren't saying much about any of the analysis. A National Transportation and Safety Board spokesman says the board is still in the fact finding stage of its work. Minnesota Public Radio's Sea Stachura reports the process can be a long one and sometimes the findings are not as solid as investigators might hope.
October 15, 2007 - This is the first full week of work on the new $234 million I 35W bridge. Flatiron/Manson is under contract to get the bridge up and carrying traffic by December 24th, 2008. But the cost and the challenges of building a new bridge don't end with concrete and steel. State, local and federal officials have to deal everything from lost parking spots to threats to the pearly eyed mussel. And almost everything affected by the bridge collapse and bridge reconstruction has a price tag. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 15, 2007 - A special panel of state lawmakers has given the Minnesota Department of Transportation greater spending authority to rebuild the I-35W bridge. But the money is just a third of what MnDOT was asking for. MnDOT officials say the decision could force them to delay construction of some other road and bridge projects but Democrats in control of the Legislature don't see it that way. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 18, 2007 - Linda Figg, lead designer of the I-35W bridge replacement project, talks about how the new 35W bridge will be designed to weather Minnesota's extreme winters and summers.
October 19, 2007 - On this Midmorning program, MPR’s Kerri Miller talks with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak about the politics of the funding and design of the I-35W bridge replacement. He also talks about the new settlement on reducing airport noise for some homeowners, one that took years to achieve, and answers listener questions.
October 22, 2007 - With the political campaign season under way, our television screens could soon be filled with attack ads. Last week's feud between Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and local television stations over an ad criticizing one of her votes raises the question: can voters believe what they see? MPRs Jess Mador (MAYdoor) has more.
October 23, 2007 - A law firm representing I-35 bridge victims has hired a forensic engineering company that investigated the collapse of the world trade center towers. Robins Kaplan hired the New York firm to determine why the I-35 Bridge collapsed in August. As Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, the chief investigator has a unique connection to Minneapolis. {Within hours of the September 11th attacks, the FAA ordered all planes to land at the nearest airport. For structural engineer, Manny Velivasakis that meant his flight from New York to Vancouver was diverted to Minneapolis. After he had deplaned, he watched airport TVs showing black smoke enveloping the trade center site.
October 25, 2007 - MN Dot has announced some of the design details for the new 35W bridge. A wide-ranging group of residents, community leaders and elected officials voted on things like color, lighting and shape. MPR's Jess Mador has more.
November 9, 2007 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on MnDOT not meeting Federal goals on hiring of minority contractors.
November 16, 2007 - A new report finds that 80 thousand Minnesota families are expected to fall behind in their mortgage payments this year. A quarter of those families could lose their homes altogether. Governor Pawlenty wants to reduce the rate of foreclosures by dedicating money to double the number of foreclosure counselors in Minnesota. But even that won't solve the problem. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..