August 24, 2007 - The five teams of contractors who hope to win the right to rebuild the I-35W bridge are busy working on their proposals. They have until September tenth to submit their plans to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. MnDOT is offering a large incentive package to ensure that the bridge is done by December of 2008. But there are some who wonder whether the relatively new process that will be used to rebuild the bridge will be cost effective and as scrutinized as it should be. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
August 22, 2007 - The I-35W bridge collapse and the flooding in southeastern Minnesota appear to be increasing the chances of a special session. Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders say they're optimistic lawmakers will convene this fall, but say some issues remain to be resolved beforehand. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
August 16, 2007 - The Minnesota Department of Transportation held a public meeting this afternoon . A large part of the hearing focused on the timeline of the rebuild and process. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports on the hearing and the experiences that other states have had in an accelerated bridge rebuild.
August 15, 2007 - A joint House-Senate committee has just completed a hearing this afternoon on the I-35W bridge design. State lawmakers pressed officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on what the design will look like, the quick timeline on getting the bridge rebuilt and whether MnDOT listen to the concerns of the public in the design. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has more.
August 14, 2007 - State transportation officials unveiled a preliminary sketch for the new Interstate 35W bridge. The drawing reveals few details about the new bridge, aside from its general size and the number of lanes it will contain. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the sketch will guide contractors who will use the information to work up detailed proposals for the new bridge. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
August 10, 2007 - Officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation will meet today with the five contractors that have been selected as finalists for the I-35W bridge rebuild. The five contractors have worked on some of the largest projects in the nation. Those projects include bridges in California, Florida and Denver. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
August 9, 2007 - President Bush says he is not in favor of raising the federal gas tax to pay for bridge repairs. Mister Bush made his comments during a news conference this morning. They came one day after Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar called for the tax increase to pay for bridge improvements. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
August 8, 2007 - A week after the I-35W bridge collapsed, Midday marks the occasion with a special one-hour broadcast featuring the latest on the investigation and the stories of the survivors. MPR’s Lorna Benson provides a remembrance of the 13 victims…Sherry Engebretsen; Artemio Trinidad-Mena; Julia Blackhawk; Patrick Holmes; Peter Hausmann; Paul Eickstadt; Greg Jolstad; Scott Sathers; Christina Sacorafas; Sadiya Sahal and two-year-old daughter Hannah; Vera Peck and her 20-year-old son Richard Chit.
August 7, 2007 - Officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation are hoping that construction crews can begin rebuilding the I-35W bridge by mid-September. Governor Pawlenty, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Transportation Commssioner Carol Molnau met today at 6 a.m. They hope to narrow the list by Friday and have a company selected by September 1st.
August 7, 2007 - The push to rebuild the I-35W bridge is on the "fastest of fast tracks" with the hopes that the new bridge will be built by the end of next year. Officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation are accepting applications from companies that intend to bid on the job, through tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.