August 9, 2007 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says he told Minnesota Transportation officials he's worried plans are moving too fast to build a 35-W replacement bridge.
August 9, 2007 - Minneapolis city officials say the city's emergency preparedness plan helped first responders know what to do and communicate with each other in the critical moments following the bridge collapse. That plan also includes a way for the city to protect itself from financial disaster. This is crucial for a city trying to follow a tight budget. As Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports the biggest expense so far has been for police overtime.
August 9, 2007 - Authorities recovered two bodies today from the 35-W bridge collapse, bringing the death toll to seven. Officials have not released the identities of the latest victims discovered. It is unclear whether they are among the eight people who have been officially listed as "missing." Earlier today before the latest victims were discovered, Minneapolis Police Captain Mike Martin told reporters police came across a homeless man who had entered their restricted area. Martin said the man they detained helped police with information on whether any homeless people were encamped under or around the bridge at the time of the collapse.
August 9, 2007 - Minnesota Department of Transportation officials say they plan to shut down parts of Twin Cities highways in the next few weekends. The goal is to expand the roadways and relieve bottlenecks resulting from the loss of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. In addition, MNDot Officials also say they've found no concerns with five state bridges that have the same design as the 35W bridge that collapsed. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
August 9, 2007 - President Bush says he is not in favor of raising the federal gas tax to pay for bridge repairs. Mister Bush made his comments during a news conference this morning. They came one day after Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar called for the tax increase to pay for bridge improvements. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
August 9, 2007 - Since the 35W bridge collapse last week, there's been a lot of attention on how, and how often, bridges are inspected. As investigators look for the causes of the collapse of the Minneapolis bridge, engineers around the country will continue their inspections, hoping to find evidence that could prevent the next bridge failure. Finn Hubbard is the state bridge engineer for the State of Wisconsin. In his career, he's performed bridge inspections. Earlier, he told us how bridge engineers actually check out the underside of major bridges.
August 9, 2007 - On this Midmorning program, MPR’s Kerri Miller talks with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, who reflects on the response to the I-35W bridge collapse, and the area's struggle to return to normal life. Rybak also answers listener questions.
August 10, 2007 - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters press conference announcing fed money for bridge repair and reconstruction. She was joined by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and members of the Minnesota congressional delegation, including Sen. Norm Coleman, Reps. John Kline, Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison, and National Transportation Safety Board chairman Mark Rosenker.
August 10, 2007 - Officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation will meet today with the five contractors that have been selected as finalists for the I-35W bridge rebuild. The five contractors have worked on some of the largest projects in the nation. Those projects include bridges in California, Florida and Denver. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
August 10, 2007 - The search continues for the missing victims of last week's 35W bridge collapse. Hennepin County Officials Thursday announced the recovery of two, possibly three, more bodies from the Mississippi River. If the remains are identified as belonging to three victims, that brings the total number of people confirmed dead to eight. MPRs Jess Mador has more.