October 15, 2007 - A special panel of state lawmakers has given the Minnesota Department of Transportation greater spending authority to rebuild the I-35W bridge. But the money is just a third of what MnDOT was asking for. MnDOT officials say the decision could force them to delay construction of some other road and bridge projects but Democrats in control of the Legislature don't see it that way. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 15, 2007 - This is the first full week of work on the new $234 million I 35W bridge. Flatiron/Manson is under contract to get the bridge up and carrying traffic by December 24th, 2008. But the cost and the challenges of building a new bridge don't end with concrete and steel. State, local and federal officials have to deal everything from lost parking spots to threats to the pearly eyed mussel. And almost everything affected by the bridge collapse and bridge reconstruction has a price tag. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 10, 2007 - State lawmakers say they intend to hold another hearing on a request by the Pawlenty Administration for spending authority for the new I-35W bridge. A special panel of eight lawmakers met yesterday and criticized the Minnesota Department of Transportation for signing a contract to build the bridge before the federal government has sent the money for the project. Several lawmakers also object to the size of the request and worry that they will give a disfunctional department too much money. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
October 9, 2007 - Officials with the construction team of Flatiron Manson will begin survey work today Tues for the new I-35W bridge. The move comes one day after the team signed a contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to rebuild the bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi River. But one factor could hold up the construction, a possible lawsuit by two of the teams that didn't win the bid. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports:
October 8, 2007 - The state Department of Administration has recommended rejecting a protest filed by two losing bidders for theInterstate 35W bridge replacement. The companies had argued that the bidding process was flawed. The winning bid of nearly $234 million came from Flatiron Constructors and Manson Construction. It was the most expensive of the three bids and would take longest to complete. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has more.
October 8, 2007 - The Minnesota Department of Transportation has officially awarded a contract to the Flatiron-Manson company for designing and building a new 35W bridge. MnDOT officials released some design sketches of the bridge this afternoon and talked about why Flatiron beat out two other firms for the $234 million dollar bridge contract. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has more.
October 8, 2007 - A special panel of state lawmakers will meet again this week to discuss whether they should authorize state money for the I-35W bridge. It will be the third meeting on the Pawlenty Administration's request for state money to pay for the bridge. The administration is asking for the money because not all of the promised federal funding has come through. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck guides us through the confusing funding process that is being used to get the bridge rebuilt.
October 4, 2007 - An eight member panel is taking it's time in deciding whether to authorize state money to pay for a new I-35W bridge. The "Transportation Contingent Appropriations Group" is a group of senior lawmakers who have to decide whether the state should give $195 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Without the money, MnDOT Commissioner Carol Molnau says her department will have to delay other transportation projects in order to pay for the replacement bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck helps sort out the delay.
October 1, 2007 - Minnesota transportation officials say the cost of the 35W bridge collapse and replacement will be 143 million dollars more than earlier projections. MnDoT officials now peg the total expense at $393 million. The news came as the Pawlenty Administration urged a panel of senior lawmakers to approve funds for the bridge replacement. But some lawmakers say they want the entire Legislature to decide the funding in a special session. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
October 1, 2007 - The state has picked a team to design and build the new Interstate 35W bridge, but the politicians are still wrangling over how it's going to be paid for. Meanwhile, some state legislators are calling for major changes at the state Department of Transportation. Midmorning looks at bridge progress.