August 8, 2007 - A bridge is thousands of pieces of metal and concrete. It's built to withstand all manner of weather and stress. And most bridges do exactly that. The Brooklyn Bridge has been carrying traffic for over 120 years, the Golden Gate Bridge for 70. So why did this bridge, the 35W collapse? Minnesota Public Radio's Sea Stachura has more.
August 8, 2007 - Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar is proposing a $25 billion program to repair or replace deficient bridges throughout the nation. Standing up river from the site of the 35W bridge collapse, Oberstar outlined a plan he said was aimed at preventing similar tragedies. The 8th District Democrat says increasing the federal gas tax by five cents a gallon over three years would help establish a new trust fund dedicated to bridge projects. Oberstar says his proposal would also improve bridge inspection requirements.
August 8, 2007 - A former National Transportation Safety Board investigator says the agency is likely to conclude that no single problem caused the collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Moylan reports.
August 8, 2007 - After a disaster cities rely heavily on the training of their emergency workers, and the leadership of their managers. Midmorning focuses on the immediate challenges of managing a disaster.
August 8, 2007 - A week after the I-35W bridge collapsed, Midday marks the occasion with a special one-hour broadcast featuring the latest on the investigation and the stories of the survivors. MPR’s Lorna Benson provides a remembrance of the 13 victims…Sherry Engebretsen; Artemio Trinidad-Mena; Julia Blackhawk; Patrick Holmes; Peter Hausmann; Paul Eickstadt; Greg Jolstad; Scott Sathers; Christina Sacorafas; Sadiya Sahal and two-year-old daughter Hannah; Vera Peck and her 20-year-old son Richard Chit.
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 - At the beginning of a press converence Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hayhoe announced the two new bodies pulled out of the river. Also present were MnDOT's Bob McFarlin and NTSB's Bruce McCladney.
August 9, 2007 - Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker at news conference. Another body recovered.
August 9, 2007 - A former National Transportation Safety Board investigator says the agency is likely to conclude that no single problem caused the collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Moylan reports.
August 9, 2007 - The Hennepin County Sheriff's office says a sixth body was recovered at the site of the 35 W bridge wreckage early this afternoon. The sheriff's office says the medical examiner's office will now work to identify the body. Prior to the discovery of the body, Minneapolis Police Captain Mike Martin told reporters dive teams were moving into new areas of the wreckage.