MN Bridge Collapse: Metro Residents in Bewilderment

Two women talking about what happened; the other three look on. © Benjamin Pecka

A public crowd with media, assessing the damage. © Benjamin Pecka

A Minneapolis bridge collapsed Wednesday August 22ND. At the time, traffic was heavily congested due to closed lanes. The collapse sent approximately a dozen cars into the Mississippi River and up to 30 are missing, with four confirmed dead.

"We have a number of vehicles that are underneath big pieces of concrete, and we do know we have some people in those vehicles," Dolan said. "We know we do have more casualties at the scene."

Source

Interstate 35W is the heaviest traveled highway in the state of Minnesota. The bridge was a main artery, built before modern design and endured much weight. Plus, it was sort of warm.

However, in 2006 an inspection revealed no problems and the construction isn't thought to be the cause.

Minnesota bridge inspectors found no structural flaws last year or the year before in the interstate bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi River in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said.

"They notified us from an engineering standpoint the deck might need to be rehabilitated or replaced in 2020 or beyond, but no immediate or structural problems with the bridge," Pawlenty said at a news conference in Minneapolis.

Source

Citizens were concerned and most stated that they couldn't picture which bridge it was. That bewilderment sent them into the streets to get a personal view. Because when you cross this bridge, you don't actually quite know that you are crossing a bridge, unless you specifically know.

Police from multiple departments were blocking most streets, preventing many from receiving a close view of the bridge.

© Benjamin Pecka 2007.

Back To Top

	US needs a "bridge-collapse" to start action on climate-change	myfoxtwincities.com	Fri Aug 3	5
	At least 7 dead as Minneapolis bridge collapses	msnbc.com	Thu Aug 2	0
	Divers Look for Bridge Collapse Victims	Associated Press	Thu Aug 2	17
	7 Killed in Minneapolis Bridge Collapse	Associated Press	Wed Aug 1	28
	Bridge collapse probe focuses on unexplained shift - CNN.com	CNN	Sat Aug 4	0