August 6, 2007 - MnDOT gives traffic briefing on how well the metro traffic is moving on Monday after the bridge collapse. Highway 280 turned into primary detour, with exits/entrances blocked to turn it into a quasi-freeway. Todd Craymess of the traffic center comments.
August 6, 2007 - The families of eight people still listed as missing after the 35W bridge collapse continue to wait for news of their loved ones. At St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis hundreds of parishioners prayed Sunday for Christina Sacorafas, one of the missing. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Moylan reports.
August 6, 2007 - Underwater searchers expect help today from the FBI as they continue to look for victims of last week's Minneapolis bridge collapse. The FBI dive team could be the first of two units from the federal government to help. The Interstate-35W bridge went down last Wednesday, at least 8 people remain missing. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
August 6, 2007 - A helicopter made low passes over the collapsed section of the I-35 W today in an attempt to photograph evidence for the National Transportation Safety Board. The chopper hovered almost motionless in mid-air; meanwhile people on the Stone Arch Bridge just upstream got their own view of the wreckage. For thousands the pilgrimage to the scene began over the weekend when the Stone Arch Bridge re-opened to pedestrian traffic. Many are bringing binoculars, others bring cameras, still others bear flowers. Here's what some of them have to say.
August 6, 2007 - Officials involved in the effort to recover bodies from the bridge collapse hope assistance from the US Navy and FBI will lead to closure for families of the 8 people who remain unaccounted for.Today marks the 5th day of the challenging search. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik has this report on the latest search efforts.
August 6, 2007 - Twin Cities motorists appear to be adapting to the loss of a section of major freeway, which was closed by the 35W bridge collapse. State officials say the Monday morning commute went better than expected, with drivers using alternate routes and new detours. Bus ridership also appeared to get a boost. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
August 6, 2007 - MnDOT says the 35W bridge was totally capable of carrying the some 140,000 a day that used it at the time of its collapse last week. At a briefing today, transportation officials wouldn't speculate on whether the amount of traffic somehow contributed to the failure of the bridge. However, the head of the University of Minnesota engineering department says increased traffic on a bridge experiencing fatigue will shorten its life span. When it collapsed, the 35W bridge was 40 years old, but its life span was predicted to be 50 years. Minnesota Public Radio's Sea Stachura reports.
August 6, 2007 - Local officials say they hope help from federal sources will lead to progress in the search for missing people following last Wednesday's bridge collapse. Crews from the Navy and the FBI joined the search Monday, bringing with them fresh manpower and sophisticated equipment, including an unmanned submarine. Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek remarks.
August 6, 2007 - Traffic is heavier along Hwy. I-94 as a result of the detours around the I-35W bridge. Highway 280 is flowing moderately.
August 6, 2007 - The 35W bridge collapse is shining a spotlight on bridge safety around the country. Midmorning's guests talk about the challenges of improving the nation's infrastructure.