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I-35 BRIDGE STORY ARCHIVE |
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BEFORE THE COLLAPSE
Video: Bridge Construction Friday Before Collapse
Drive over the 35W bridge just days before its collapse. FOX 9 cameras taped construction of the bridge the Friday before the collapse.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1
Read the First Report
After the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, FOX 9 crew and SkyFOX9 rushed to the scene, bringing important information and riveting images to Twin Cities residents.
Important Links and Numbers
Here are all the important links and numbers you need to know related to the I-35W Bridge Collapse.
Witness of Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
A woman tells her story of survival, as her car lays beneath another on the collapsed I-35W bridge in Minneapolis.
Interview: Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak talks about the I-35 bridge collapse and steps toward recovery.
Morning Commute Information with Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis
Get the latest detour and additional bus information for Thursday's commute and future commutes following the collapse of the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.
Witness Drove Under Bridge Before Collapse
Hear the story of a woman who escaped the collapse of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis by minutes. She drove underneath the bridge just before its collapse.
Witness at Bridge Collapse
FOX 9's Beth McDonough is at the scene where Interstate 35W collapsed over the Mississippi River. She spoke to a victim who was saved from her a car.
Possible Reasons of Collapse
The I-35W Bridge collapsed Wednesday, leaving many injured. Investigators have not discovered what caused the bridge to collapse. Timothy Galarnyk from Construction Risk Management, Inc. talks about some possible reasons why the bridge collapsed.
Twins vs Royals Game Postponed After Bridge Collapse
Thursday's Twins vs Kansas City Royals afternoon game was postponed after the I-35W bridge collapse that took place in Minneapolis on Wednesday night.
Minnesota Twins React to Bridge Collapse
Ground Level Video of Bridge Collapse
Video from ground level shows the destruction of a bridge collapse along I-35W in Minneapolis, near the University of Minnesota campus.
On the Scene: Bridge Collapse
FOX 9's Jamie Reese reports by phone from the scene of the I-35 bridge collapse over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2
Interview: School Bus Passenger in Bridge Collapse
A student riding the school bus during the I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis tells his story.
FOX 9 Investigators: Unsafe Bridges
In the past year, the FOX 9 Investigators have spent months looking at the condition of bridges all across the state. And what Investigator Jacqueline McLean uncovered then is especially disturbing now, in light of the I-35W Bridge collapse.
Bridge Collapse: 5th Body Pulled From River
The task ahead is a grim one for water patrol teams from around the metro. Divers and other recovery crews are working to find as many victims as possible from the 35W bridge collapse.
by Tom Halden
5th Confirmed Death -- Body of Truck Driver Found
Minneapolis firefighters recovered the body of a tractor-trailer driver from the collapsed bridge rubble around 7:00 p.m. Thursday night.
Minneapolis Bridge Collapse: Sights and Sounds
The sights and sounds from the collapse of the I-35W bridge collapse over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.
Victims of I-35W Bridge Collapse Identified
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has released the names of the victims who died in the August 1st collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis.
Interview: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty reacts to the I-35 bridge collapse and future recovery efforts.
Mayor Rybak's Statement on Bridge Collapse
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak released the following statement regarding Wednesday's deadly collapse of the I-35W Bridge in to the Mississippi River.
President Bush Speaks on Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
President Bush spoke Thursday afternoon, expressing concern for the City of Minneapolis and voicing his commitment to federal aid in rebuilding the I-35W bridge.
Minn. Bridge Problems Uncovered in 1990
Minnesota officials were warned as early as 1990 that the bridge that plummeted into the Mississippi River was "structurally deficient," yet they relied on a strategy of patchwork fixes and stepped-up inspections.
Facebook Groups for Bridge Collapse
Groups on the social networking site Facebook.com are popping up with memorials, safe and alive and other themes. A University of Minnesota group called 35W bridge...Makin sure everyone is alright.. is a place for students to touch base with each other on the safety of classmates and friends.
Couple Rushing to Child in Hospital, Caught in Bridge Collapse
Crystal Manning was already frantic Wednesday afternoon as she headed to Minneapolis. Her two-year-old daughter was in the hospital.
Major Bridge and Highway Collapses
While bridge collapses like the I-35W tragedy are not common, they do happen. Here are some major bridge and highway collapses in recent history
Wells Fargo Pledges $150,000 to Bridge Collapse Relief
Wells Fargo is pledging $150,000 to the American Red Cross/Twin Cities Area Chapter's local disaster relief fund to support its ongoing efforts in responding to recent local emergency situations, including the I-35W bridge collapse last evening in Minneapolis.
MN State Officials' Press Conference
Minnesota state officials express their thoughts on the collapse of the I-35W Bridge. FOX 9's Jeff Goldberg toured with the state leaders.
Coleman, Klobuchar Clear Path for Emergency Assistance
Following their visit on Thursday to see the tragic bridge collapse in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Norm Coleman tonight secured Senate passage of emergency assistance in the wake of Wednesday's Interstate 35W bridge tragedy.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3
First Responders Talk About Bridge Collapse
Many brave men and women went into the water or ventured beneath the unsafe collapsed structure to help the victims of Wednesday's bridge collapse.
by Beth McDonough
Survivor's Phone Call to Wife
Andy Gannon, a survivor of the I-35 bridge collapse, was on his way to a wake when the bridge gave out. Hear the cell phone call to his wife.
35W Bridge Worker Shares His Experience
A St. Paul bridge-crew was working at the 35W collapse site just hours before it went down.
by Jacqueline McLean
Fifth Victim of Bridge Collapse Remembered
A fifth victim was identified Friday as Paul Eickstadt, a 51-year-old truck driver from Moundsview. Listen to Eickstadt's friends tell the story of how he's being remembered.
by Paul Blume
First Lady Laura Bush Tours Bridge Collapse
First Lady Laura Bush visited the site of the I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis on August 3, 2007. The First Lady drew parallels to her Gulf Coast visits following Hurricane Katrina.
Missing Worker Identified
The missing construction worker in the Aug. 1 birdge collapse was identified as Greg Jolstad by his wife. Jolstad, 45, was working on a skidder when the bridge collapsed.
Friday Midday Bridge Update
The Minneapolis Police and Fire Departments, along with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, the Red Cross and other partners, are continuing recovery work in the aftermath of the 35-W bridge collapse. As of 3:00 p.m. August 3, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed five deaths related to the collapse
Bridge Collapse Investigation
The recovery operation around the 35W bridge collapse enters day two Friday morning. Divers will be back in the water trying to recover victims while the investigation into the bridge collapse continues.
by Tom Halden
Gov. Pawlenty Speaks on Bridge Collapse (Aug. 3)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, along with Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, address the media after visiting with rescue workers.
Press Conference with Sheriff Rich Stanek
Sheriff Rich Stanek has the latest updates on Hennepin County's recovery efforts and their latest discoveries from the 35W bridge collapse.
Twins Postpone Thursday's Game After Collapse
The Minnesota Twins have postponed Thursday's game against Kansas City following a bridge collapse near the Metrodome and team president Dave St. Peter said their weekend series with Cleveland also could be affected.
Nick Coleman on 35W Bridge Collapse
As the search continues for victims of the 35W crash, many are asking how this tragedy could have happen. Star Tribune columnist and FOX 9 contributor Nick Coleman shares his thoughts.
State Gas Tax Possible After Bridge Collapse
A spokesman says Governor Pawlenty might back down from his firm opposition to a state gas tax increase after the Minneapolis bridge collapse.
House Pushes to Approve Bridge Money
Congress hurried on Friday toward approval of $250 million to rebuild the Minnesota bridge that was destroyed in this week's deadly collapse.
NTSB Investigation of Bridge Collapse
Beginning Saturday, the NTSB will use 3D laser technology from the FBI to map the debris field.
by Tom Lyden
35W Collapse Commuting Solutions
Minneapolis is now beginning to comprehend the commuting changes that will have to take place with the 35W bridge out -- iIt will affect hundreds of employers and thousands of workers in downtown Minneapolis.
by Jamie Reese
35W Bridge: Day 3 Investigation
As the search goes on for additional victims, investigators are getting closer to finding out why the I-35W bridge collapsed.
by
Tom Lyden
35W Bridge: Day Three Recovery Efforts
Five deaths have been confirmed so far, and that number is expected to rise.
by Dawn Stevens
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4
New Video of 35W Bridge Collapse
Shocking new video of the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis shows drivers frantically turn around as the road ahead of them falls to the Mississippi River.
Red Cross Moves Efforts to Augsburg College
The Red Cross Family Assistance Center will move to Augsburg College on Saturday, as it continues to assist families coping with the 35W bridge collapse.
Bridge Collapse Day 4: Water Recovery Update
A smashed car founds earlier in the recovery process was pulled from the water and searched Saturday morning. Nothing was found inside.
President Bush Speaks in Minneapolis
President Bush spoke in Minneapolis on August 4, recognizing the importance of the 35W bridge to the city of Minneapolis and applauding the quick action of the people who rushed to help during the collapse.
NTSB OK's Removal of Cars, Debris
The NTSB gave permission to local officials to remove vehicles and debris from the collapsed 35W bridge and Mississippi River.
Diver Tangled on Sunken Car
Recovery teams pulled one more car from the Mississippi River Saturday. The car was badly damaged, but no victims were found inside.
President Surveys 35W Bridge Collapse
President Bush visited the Twin Cities the Saturday following the 35W bridge collapse. Bush pledged to help re-build the bridge as soon as possible.
Bush Getting Firsthand Look at Bridge
President Bush braced for a firsthand view Saturday of the devastation at the site of the highway bridge collapse in Minneapolis. "Clearly, this was not something that we expected to happen," his transportation chief said.
Bush Surveys Bridge, Pledges Aid
President Bush surveyed Minneapolis' collapsed highway bridge from the ground and air Saturday, viewing the concrete slabs and twisted steel that once spanned the Mississippi River. He pledged to help rebuild the vital link as quickly as possible.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5
Memorial Service For 35W Bridge Victims
An interfaith prayer service Sunday to remember the victims and pray for the missing in the 35W bridge collapse. The Stone Arch Bridge will re-open to give people an opportunity to pay their respects to the victims.
8 Missing in Bridge Collapse Identified
8 people are confirmed missing in the August 1, 2007 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis. The missing were identified on Saturday, August 5. The number of confirmed dead stands at five.
MONDAY, AUGUST 6
Minn. Bridge Searchers Turn To Navy
After five exhausting days searching for victims of an interstate bridge collapse, rescue coordinators are turning to the Navy divers considered the best.
Medic in Bridge Collapse Develops Mysterious Illness
He helped saved lives in the moments following the bridge collapse. But a medic is now suffering from a mystery illness. He believes it's from the Mississippi River, but so far doctors can't confirm it. FOX 9's Dawn Stevens has his story.
35W Bridge Collapse Means Challenges for Communters
The loss of the 35W bridge forced thousands of commuters to prove their resourcefulness, and find a new route to and from work today. FOX 9's Bill Keller has more on today's commute.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7
35W Bridge Collapse Investigation
The devastating collapse of the 35W bridge was a surprise to everyone. FOX 9's Richelle McGinnis takes an in-depth look at what happened the day of the bridge collapse.
Bridge Reconstruction Plans
Governor Tim Pawlenty, Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau, and Mayor RT Rybak finished a meeting in Saint Paul on the reconstruction of the 35W bridge. FOX 9's Jeff Goldberg has the details on what they talked about in the meeting.
Investigators: Deficient Bridge
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9
At Least Two More Bodies Recovered from Bridge Collapse
Two bodies were found at the site of the bridge collapse today, raising the total number to 7 confirmed dead with at least 6 still missing. FOX 9's Bill Keller reports from Augsburg College where families are receiving the latest updates.
Police Warn against Fraudulent Profiting from Collapse
Police are warning against trying to make money off of the 35W bridge disaster. FOX 9's Richelle McGinnis reports .
35W Collapse: Remembering Peter Hausmann
The victims recovered from the 35W bridge wreckage in the Mississippi, Thursday, are being remembered by friends and family. FOX 9's Paul Blume spoke with one of Peter Hausmann's coworkers, who described him as a man of great faith and integrity.
35W Bridge Hero Regains Memory
One of the people aboard the school bus full of children didn’t remember his own heroics – until now. After suffering memory loss, he is slowly beginning to remember some of the details following the collapse of the 35W bridge. FOX 9's Karen Scullin has his story.
Survivor's Wheelchair Recovered from 35W Bridge
One survivor received a pleasant surprise today, as his $2,000 wheelchair was recovered from the 35W Bridge. FOX 9's Rob Olson tells the story.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
35W Collapse: A Look at Navy Divers
The bodies of those who were lost in the crash have been found more quickly since elite Navy divers were called in for help. FOX 9's Tim Blotz, reporting.
35W Collapse: Search Set-back Due to Storm
The first round of storms hit early Saturday morning causing all kinds of damage throughout the Metro area. The weather even halted recovery efforts at the 35W bridge collapse as the Mississippi’s current became too strong. Hennepin County is working at slowing down the river flow to help dive efforts. FOX 9's Paul Blume, reporting.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12
35W Bridge Victms' Benefit Concert
Minnesota is still coming to terms with the tragedy of the 35W bridge collapse. Today another body was recovered from the site, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to nine. Tonight, local musicians are performing a benefit to help the families of the collapse victims. Maury Glover reports.
MONDAY, AUGUST 13
MnDOT Sketches New 35W Bridge
MnDOT has completed, but not released, preliminary sketches of the new 35W bridge.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14
35W Bridge Reconstruction Plans Revealed
Since the 35W bridge collapse recovery efforts have continued. Now, possible designs for the new bridge are being released. FOX 9's Rob Olson, reporting.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15
Attorneys Request Access to 35W Collapse Site
Two weeks have passed since the 35W bridge collapsed in to the Mississippi River, but many questions remain. Now some victims want to launch their own investigation into the cause of the collapse. FOX 9's Tom Lyden explains.
New 35W Bridge May Have Light-Rail
It appears light-rail may be back on the drawing board when it comes to the new 35W bridge design. FOX 9's Tim Blotz has the latest on MnDOT's bridge replacement plan.
35W Bridge Collapse Heroes Honored
Some of the people aboard that school bus on the 35W bridge during the collapse are being honored for helping to get the children out safely. FOX 9's Jody Ambroz reports.
Investigators: Paying a Heavy Toll
The 35W bridge collapse has shown that we may take the safety of our bridges for granted. The FOX 9 Investigators take an in-depth look at one of the reasons that so many bridges are in need of repair.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19
Remains at 35W Collapse Identified at Scott Sathers
Water recovery teams found the body of one of the people missing in 35W bridge collapse Sunday morning, bringing the number of confirmed dead to 12.
MONDAY, AUGUST 20
Greg Jolstad, Final Victim in 35W Bridge Collapse Recovered
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office has confirmed the body of Greg Jolstad, 45, of Mora, has been recovered from the site of the 35W bridge collapse.
OTHER INFORMATION
Bridge Collapse: Important Public Information
Here are all the important links, numbers and information on donations and prayer services related to the I-35W Bridge Collapse.
Red Cross Tips For Coping With Tragedy
Alan Brankline, a licensed social worker and Red Cross volunteer, offers the following advice for talking with your children about this disaster and coping with it yourself.
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I-35 BRIDGE FACT SHEET |
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I-35W Bridge History
- Built in 1964 by Hurcon Inc. and Industrial Construction Company.
- Steel trusses and deck were constructed by Industrial Construction Company in the summer of 1965.
- Bridge opened to traffic in 1967.
- Scheduled for reconstruction in 2020-25.
Stats
- Bridge carries 144,000 vehicles per day; including 4,760 commercial vehicles.
- Similar bridges in Minnesota include the Hwy. 123 bridge in Sandstone and the Hwy. 23 bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Cloud.
Design
- Deck steel truss is made up of three parts: deck, superstructure and substructure (the structure under water).
- Bridge has a split deck (longitudinally parallel to traffic) and is 113 feet, 4 inches wide.
- Size/length: 1,907 feet long, eight lanes.
Inspection History
- Had been inspected annually since 1993; before that, was inspected every two years
- Last fully inspected in 2006. Partial inspections were conducted in 2007; to be complete in fall 2007 (see inspection reports on I-35W bridge online at www.mndot.gov -- scroll to bottom of page to find documents)
- The 2006 Fracture Critical Bridge Inspection Report, prepared by a MnDOT bridge inspection team, describes specific problems that caused the superstructure (part of bridge above water) to receive a poor rating. The poor rating can be attributed to corrosion at some areas where the paint system has deteriorated, poor weld details in the steel truss members and floor beams, bearings that are not moving as they were designed to move, and existing fatigue crack repairs to the truss cross beam and approach spans.
- Deficiencies were acknowledged in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 inspection reports.
- MnDOT had taken several steps to address these deficiencies. Some cracking in the approach spans was repaired or was being monitored. The Bridge Office had contracted with the University of Minnesota in 1990 to evaluate the fatigue stresses within the truss. Field tests were conducted. Measured and calculated stress ranges were less than the fatigue threshold, therefore, it was concluded that fatigue cracking was not expected in the deck truss. The following actions were recommended:
- Structural components of the main truss with the highest stress ranges should be inspected thoroughly, every two years.
- Critical locations of the floor trusses had high stress ranges, and should be inspected every six months.
- Although the report concluded that fatigue cracking was not expected to be a problem for the weld details used on the truss, MnDOT contracted with URS (a private firm) in 2003 to do a more in-depth fatigue and fracture analysis, and to determine whether the fracture of any single truss member would result in collapse of the bridge or whether the traffic load would be safely carried by other members of the bridge. URS made three recommendations in January 2007:
1) Add redundant plating over the most critical 52 truss members,
2) Conduct a visual examination of all suspected weld details and remove measurable defects at suspected weld details of all 52 fracture critical truss members, or,
3) Do a combination of both 1) and 2).
MnDOT had begun inspection of the weld details and no weld cracks were detected. Therefore, MnDOT did not proceed with option 1 at that time. MnDOT intended to complete the inspection of the weld details on all of the remaining members after the completion of the current construction project.
Structurally deficient bridges
- A bridge is rated as “structurally deficient” when part of the bridge is found to be in poor condition. Many bridges in poor condition are still safe for use. As deterioration continues, engineering analysis is sometimes necessary to re-compute the safe load capacity of the bridge. If the safe load capacity is less than today’s legal truck load (80,000 pounds), the bridge is posted at the newly computed safe load capacity.
- The I-35W bridge was rated safe for legal truck loads and permitted overweight truck loads of up to 136,000 lbs. The bridge was not under any restrictions.
· The condition of different parts of a bridge is rated on a scale of 1 to 9 (7, 8, or 9 are good condition ratings, 6 is satisfactory, 5 is fair, 4 is poor, 3 is serious, 2 is critical and 1 is closed). A structurally deficient bridge is one for which the deck, the superstructure or the substructures are rated in condition 4 or less. For this bridge, the superstructure was rated 4.
- In Minnesota, there are 1,097 bridges that are considered structurally deficient and that have a sufficiency rating less than or equal to 80. Of these bridges, 106 are on the state trunk highway system and 991 are on the local system.
Federal report on bridges (NBIS database)
- The National Bridge Inspection Standards require states to annually report condition ratings for all bridges in their states to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Each MnDOT district has inspectors who are trained to inspect and rate bridge condition. That information is forwarded to MnDOT’s Bridge Office where it is compiled and forwarded to the FHWA. The FHWA uses that data to determine which bridges are structurally deficient and functionally obsolete.
Recent work on the bridge
- Work involved concrete and joint repair, lighting and guardrail installation
- Work was scheduled to be complete Sept. 30.
- Cost for the work is $9 million.
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