August 10, 2007 - The 35W bridge collapse is bringing renewed attention to the country's aging roads and bridges. Investigators will consider many factors as they determine why the bridge came down. One of those is the increased traffic over the bridge in the past 40 years. During that time there's been a dramatic increase in the number of trucks on the road and those trucks are heavier. Experts say that combination can significantly reduce the life of roads and bridges. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson explains.
August 10, 2007 - St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman says there are encouraging signs that state government will spend what's needed to replace two aging bridges in the city. The Cayuga (ky-YOO-gah) bridge is still in daily use even though it was supposed to be replaced three years ago. St. Paul's Lafayette Bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2011. But, Coleman says that's too long to wait. The 39-year-old bridge has a history of structural problems similar to those found in inspections of the now collapsed I-35W bridge. Coleman says he's been in touch with Governor Pawlenty about the timetable for replacing the bridges...
August 10, 2007 - More than a week after the 35W bridge collapse divers have begun recovering the bodies of people missing and presumed dead. Authorities say the remains of two or possibly three people were pulled Thursday from debris in the Mississippi River. There were eight people listed as missing after last week's collapse. On his weekly radio show Friday, Governor Pawlenty urged all Minnesotans to remember the families of these victims.
August 10, 2007 - Can Minnesota afford the upkeep of roads and bridges? Broadcast: Midday, 08/10/2007, 11:00 a.m. With the wreckage of the I-35W bridge still slumped in the Mississippi River, options for rebuilding are beginning to surface. State and federal government now must deal with questions about the eroding state of our bridges and highways and how we pay for the upkeep of our infrastructure. Guest: Tim Penny: senior fellow, Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
August 11, 2007 - Minnesota transportation officials say they hope to award the construction contract for the new 35W bridge as early as next month. Department of Transportation spokesman Bob Mcfarlin says the state is pushing so fast because the collapsed bridge is such a crucial traffic corridor.
August 13, 2007 - The Hennepin County Sheriff's office says no more bodies were recovered from the site of the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis today. But five cars were removed from the river. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
August 13, 2007 - With a major disaster such as the 35W bridge collapse, questions inevitably turn to who will compensate the victims and their families for their losses. Some metro area attorneys say families have approached them about filing lawsuits. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, the question of whether victims can obtain compensation will depend largely on which entity is found to be at fault for the bridge's failure.
August 13, 2007 - The Minnesota Department of Transportation is inviting the public to comment on plans for rebuilding the Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi. But the Department acknowledges that the public may not have much say in the design. MnDOT Communications Director Lucy Kender says federal emergency funds for the bridge limit design choices. For example options like light rail and bicycle lanes don't qualify for the federal funding. Kender says the restrictions are intended to foster a fast rebuilding plan.
August 13, 2007 - The preliminary design for the new Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River will be unveiled Tuesday. The Minnesota Department of Transportation isn't revealing much about the new design other than to confirm that the bridge will have ten lanes. The public will get a chance to comment on the design at a meeting in Roseville Thursday. But MnDOT Communications Director Lucy Kender acknowledges that the public may not have much say in the final plan. She says federal emergency funds limit the design choices.
August 13, 2007 - Five MnDOT bridge inspection crews have been dispatched this week to examine so-called "fracture critical" bridges around Minnesota. "Fracture critical" bridges are a special concern because the bridges can collapse unexpectedly if they develop a serious fracture. Statewide Bridge Inspection Program Manager Duane Hill says MnDOT inspectors will examine all state highway bridges that are longer than 20-feet by the end of the year. But he says special priority is being given now to certain bridges that carry a lot of weight and have a lot of traffic.