August 23, 2007 - Some DFL lawmakers are concerned that reconstruction of the 35W bridge will delay other transportation projects throughout the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
August 22, 2007 - State and federal officials say the recovery of the 13th and last known victim of the 35W bridge collapse means cleanup of the site can now proceed at a faster pace. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board will oversee the debris removal as they continue to look for the cause of the collapse. At a news conference Tuesday, NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker said contractors can haul away the southern end of the bridge and the entire concrete deck.
August 22, 2007 - Some DFL lawmakers are concerned that reconstruction of the 35W bridge will delay other transportation projects throughout the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
August 22, 2007 - State lawmakers are asking the Office of the Legislative Auditor to review highway and bridge spending issues in the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Three weeks after the 35W bridge collapse, a legislative panel meets with the auditor to request an update of a 1997 report. That report highlighted a growing number of structurally deficient bridges and a lack of preventative maintenance. It also warned of steel fatigue in some bridges. Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles says the 10-year-old report clearly showed the potential for a bridge collapse.
August 21, 2007 - State and federal officials say the recovery of the 13th and last known victim of the 35W bridge collapse means cleanup of the site can now proceed at a faster pace. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board will oversee the debris removal as they continue to look for the cause of the collapse. At a news conference today, NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker said contractors can haul away the southern end of the bridge and the entire concrete deck.
August 21, 2007 - President Bush today declared an emergency exists in Minnesota as a result of the 35W bridge collapse. The declaration comes a day after divers recovered the thirteenth and last known victim from the river. Officials are now stepping up efforts to remove debris from the site of the bridge collapse. And Governor Pawlenty is moving closer to calling a special session of the Legislature to deal with bridge costs, as well as flood relief for Southeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
August 17, 2007 - Governor Pawlenty says the state can build a new 35W bridge with the future capacity to hold light rail transit. But Pawlenty says that aspect of the bridge would add to the overall cost, and not be covered by the available federal funding. City leaders in Minneapolis have been pushing for light rail in the design of a replacement bridge. But some state officials have warned that a light rail discussion would delay the fast-track project. During his weekly radio show Pawlenty said the word from engineers that the bridge could handle light rail was a breakthrough.
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 9, 2007 - Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar is proposing a $25 billion program to repair or replace deficient bridges throughout the nation. Standing up river from the site of the 35W bridge collapse, Oberstar outlined a plan he said was aimed at preventing similar tragedies. The 8th District Democrat says increasing the federal gas tax by five cents a gallon over three years would help establish a new trust fund dedicated to bridge projects. Oberstar says his proposal would also improve bridge inspection requirements.
August 8, 2007 - Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar is proposing a $25 billion program to repair or replace deficient bridges throughout the nation. Standing up river from the site of the 35W bridge collapse, Oberstar outlined a plan he said was aimed at preventing similar tragedies. The 8th District Democrat says increasing the federal gas tax by five cents a gallon over three years would help establish a new trust fund dedicated to bridge projects. Oberstar says his proposal would also improve bridge inspection requirements.