September 3, 2007 - As Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders still disagree on an agenda for a potential special session, some analysts say the prolonged partisan wrangling could have a political price. The Republican governor wants assurances that DFL lawmakers will keep the focus on emergency needs related to floods and the 35W bridge collapse. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
September 4, 2007 - Tonight representatives from MnDOT and the city of Minneapolis will present a plan to add a temporary off-ramp from I-35W southbound onto East Hennepin Avenue. The proposal is part of a larger plan to better manage traffic around the collapsed bridge, until a new bridge is built. But the plan could cause some major headaches for people who work and live in the area. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
September 5, 2007 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak speaks at the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearings held to figure out how to fix the nation's "structurally deficient bridges". This segment was from an hours long hearing led by U.S. Representative Jim Oberstar.
September 5, 2007 - Mostly Oberstar's opening statement plus testimony from Panel One, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and her aide Richard Capka.
September 5, 2007 - U.S. Transportation committee, chaired by U.S. representative Jim Oberstar, hears witnesses on I-35W bridge collapse and the state of bridges in general. Panel 1: Structurally Deficient Bridges in the U.S. Panel 2: Calvin Scovel, US DoT, Inspector General; and Mark Rosenker, NTSB Chairman. Panel 3: R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis; and Kathleen Novak, mayor of Northglenn, CO. The segment ends with the Colorado mayor's testimony before they broke for a House vote.
September 5, 2007 - The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held hearings today to figure out how to fix the nation's "structurally deficient bridges". After the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis at the beginning of last month, both Congress and the transportation department have been focusing more of their attention on these vital, aging structures. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters provided testimony today. While she does not like the way bridges are getting classified, she says her department has not been neglecting them. Report also includes comments from U.S. Congressman Oberstar and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.
September 7, 2007 - Midday presents an American RadioWorks documentary, produced in association with North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC, titled “Put to the Test.” The documentary follows students, teachers, and administrators from Western Guilford High School as they navigate the requirements of No Child Left Behind.
September 18, 2007 - If your travel plans take you over the Lowry Avenue bridge in Minneapolis this week, you'll need to make new plans. Today's rain is delaying the closure of the Lowry Avenue bridge in Minneapolis. But the span connecting North and Northeast Minneapolis will be closed for inspection from 8am to 6pm for the rest of the week if weather clears up. While the two-lane truss bridge is closed Hennepin County recommends drivers use the West Broadway Ave. bridge to get across the Mississippi River in that part of town. Jake Bronder is a bridge engineer for Hennepin County. He says MnDOT and the county are just closing the bridge for inspection.
September 19, 2007 - This afternoon we'll find out which of several construction companies will be given the assignment to build a new I-35W bridge. Bids will be opened and examined by officials with MNDoT. Spokesman Kevin Gutnecht says this is not the typical way that bridge designs are chosen.
September 19, 2007 - Minnesota Transportation officials have selected a joint team from Colorado and Seattle to build the new I-35W bridge. The team of Flatiron Constructors and Manson Construction company was awarded the bid in a public ceremony this afternoon. The team won despite proposing the most expensive bid and the longest time-line to complete the work. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has more.