http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/35w/ en-us Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:36:39 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046147/posts At 6:05 p.m. on Aug. 1, silence will fall along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. And those standing along the river's banks will remember that at that moment one year ago, the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River, killing 13 people and injuring hundreds of others. A prayer service on Aug. 1 at the Basilica of St. Mary followed by an outdoor memorial service at Gold Medal Park on the Mississippi River will mark the first anniversary of the bridge collapse. "It was one of the worst days that I will ever be part of that ironically showed... StarTribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046147/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:36:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010007/posts CLEVELAND (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Thursday backed off his assertion that pork-barrel spending led to last year's deadly bridge collapse in Minneapolis. With Democrats criticizing him for citing wasteful spending as the cause of the disaster, McCain told reporters in Cleveland, "No, I said it would have received a higher priority, which it deserved." That statement was in contrast to McCain's remarks to reporters aboard his campaign bus as it rolled through Pennsylvania on Wednesday: "The bridge in Minneapolis didn't collapse because there wasn't enough money. The bridge in Minneapolis collapsed because so much money was... AP news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010007/posts#comment Fri, 2 May 2008 00:35:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009448/posts Republican John McCain said Wednesday that the bridge collapse in Minnesota that killed 13 people last year would not have happened if Congress had not wasted so much money on pork-barrel spending. Federal investigators cite undersize steel plates as the "critical factor" in the collapse of the bridge. Heavy loads of construction materials on the bridge also contributed to the disaster that injured 145 people on Aug. 1, according to preliminary findings by the National Transportation Safety Board. "The bridge in Minneapolis didn't collapse because there wasn't enough money," McCain told reporters while campaigning in Pennsylvania. "The bridge in Minneapolis... StarTribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009448/posts#comment Thu, 1 May 2008 00:38:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1990455/posts Old photos of the Interstate 35W bridge show two steel connecting plates were visibly bent as early as 2003 — four years before the span collapsed into the Mississippi River, killing 13 people. Minnesota Department of Transportation officials declined to say when the state first knew about the bending in the pieces of steel, called gusset plates. Two photos, part of a report issued earlier this month by the National Transportation Safety Board, reveal slight bends in gusset plates that hold beams together at two separate connecting points. The plates are in areas believed to be among the first points... The Associated Press...Star Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1990455/posts#comment Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:36:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1958706/posts Congressman Jim Oberstar chastised the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board Wednesday for publicly declaring the cause of the 35W Bridge collapse before the investigation was complete. Oberstar sent a letter to the NTSB Chairman Wednesday to raise what he describes as "serious concerns." Oberstar worries that because of what’s already been said, the final report on the cause of the bridge collapse could be tainted. "We do not today, know what caused the I-35 collapse," said Chairman Mark Rosenker last Tuesday. However, a few minutes later, he said the gusset plates on the 35W Bridge were the wrong... KSTP.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1958706/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:57:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1957760/posts Dozens of bridge victims prepare to sue By MARTIGA LOHN, Associated Press Writer Tue Jan 22, 10:48 AM ET ST. PAUL, Minn. - Dozens of victims of last summer's bridge collapse in Minneapolis — from surviving spouses to the parents of children riding on a yellow school bus — have filed preliminary paperwork to sue the state. The documents, obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request, provide a glimpse into a brewing legal battle over the Aug. 1 disaster, in which the Interstate 35W bridge plummeted 60 feet into the Mississippi River, killing 13 and injuring 145.... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1957760/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:11:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1954133/posts The collapse of the St. Anthony Bridge in Minneapolis started with a design flaw in the gusset plates, confirming suspicions that arose in the first week of the investigation. A source familiar with the conclusion told CNN earlier this morning that the NTSB will announce that finding later today, ending speculation that poor maintenance caused the deaths of 13 people last August: Federal investigators have identified a design flaw as the cause of last year's Interstate 35W Minneapolis bridge collapse that killed 13 people, a congressional official said Tuesday. The official, who was briefed by the National Transportation Safety Board,... Captain's Quarters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1954133/posts#comment Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:21:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1924558/posts It's been three months since the I-35W bridge collapse, and shovels are about to be put into the ground to begin construction of the replacement. And as sure as the Minnesota winter is cold, victims and their lawyers are lining up with their hands out, demanding compensation. Meanwhile, politicians are tripping over each other to see who can shovel the most of someone else's money at these people, the better to claim the mantle of “compassion” and then browbeat anyone who objects with angry cries of how one could be so “cruel” to these poor souls. It's enough to make... North Star Writers Group http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1924558/posts#comment Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:31:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1923821/posts The Minnesota Department of Transportation emergency response executive who failed to return to the state for 10 days after the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed was fired Friday for taking unauthorized trips, making excessive personal calls on her MnDOT cell phone and bringing embarrassment to the state.Staying away from crisis Kevin Hanretta, who was at a conference with Pitt when the bridge collapsed, told MnDOT's investigator that Pitt was torn between staying on the East Coast and returning to Minnesota. Hanretta told the investigator that Pitt decided to stay put because her staff was "doing a great job" and she was... Minneapolis Star Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1923821/posts#comment Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:34:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1914386/posts As is always the case, getting into a bidding war with big-spending liberals ends in defeat for conservatives. Especially when Democrats seem more willing than ever to exploit any calamity, however horrific, for political gain. Whether politicizing the Wellstone memorial, Hurricane Katrina or even the casualties of war, the motto of the majority party in Washington and St. Paul is now best described as "No Tragedy Left Behind." Indeed, no sooner had Minnesota's Interstate 35W bridge collapsed than our liberal elite starting pointing fingers -- and they've been doing it ever since. Led by the state's twin deacons of demagoguery,... Star Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1914386/posts#comment Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1910805/posts MINNEAPOLIS - As the estimated cost of recovering from an interstate bridge collapse surges past $400 million, survivors of the deadly disaster just wish they could get a few thousand dollars here and there to make ends meet. About 30 of the more than 100 people injured in the Aug. 1 collapse, which killed 13 people, meet weekly to talk about the troubles it's caused them. This past week, one man spoke of his struggles with a $41,000 medical bill. Others mentioned missed paychecks. That they've all had such problems getting aid irritated fellow survivor Kimberly J. Brown enough that... AP via Yahoo! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1910805/posts#comment Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:45:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890536/posts The last victim of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse has been recovered from the water. The long, complex search for the disaster's cause is ramping up in earnest. It's about the time we'd expect the lawyers to descend. But the pinstripes are already out of the gate, setting new records for jumping the gun in a disaster. Just days after the collapse, while recovery crews were still battling treacherous waters, Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben -- one of the state's highest profile personal injury firms -- petitioned for access to the site for three attorneys and two expert witnesses. An immediate... Minneapolis Star Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890536/posts#comment Mon, 3 Sep 2007 15:34:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887220/posts I just got an invite to the Midwestern ITE conference. It is being held in West Des Moines, IA this year on September 26th, 27th, and the morning of the 28th. A person from the MNDOT was scheduled to speak there before the I-35W collapse. They are planning to have him tentatively discuss the collapse instead of his originally planned topic. I will try to attend and, if so, let everyone know what he says. There will also be a breakout session on Red Light Cameras which should be interesting. Me http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887220/posts#comment Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:32:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1885883/posts Pounded and strained by heavy traffic and weakened by missing bolts and cracking steel, the failed Minnesota bridge over the Mississippi River also faced a less obvious enemy: Birds. Inspectors began documenting the buildup of pigeon dung on the span near downtown Minneapolis two decades ago. Experts say the corrosive guano deposited all over the span's framework helped the steel beams rust faster. Although investigators have yet to identify the cause of the bridge's Aug. 1 collapse, which killed at least 13 people and injured about 100, the pigeon problem is one of many factors that dogged the structure. "There... AP via CBS News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1885883/posts#comment Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:31:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1885048/posts Pounded and strained by heavy traffic and weakened by missing bolts and cracking steel, the failed interstate bridge over the Mississippi River also faced a less obvious enemy: pigeons. Inspectors began documenting the buildup of pigeon dung on the span near downtown Minneapolis two decades ago. Experts say the corrosive guano deposited all over the Interstate 35W span's framework helped the steel beams rust faster... AP - Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1885048/posts#comment Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:32:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1885008/posts ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Pounded and strained by heavy traffic and weakened by missing bolts and cracking steel, the failed interstate bridge over the Mississippi River also faced a less obvious enemy: pigeons. Inspectors began documenting the buildup of pigeon dung on the span near downtown Minneapolis two decades ago. Experts say the corrosive guano deposited all over the Interstate 35W span's framework helped the steel beams rust faster. Although investigators have yet to identify the cause of the bridge's Aug. 1 collapse, which killed at least 13 people and injured about 100, the pigeon problem is one of... Breitbart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1885008/posts#comment Wed, 22 Aug 2007 21:14:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1884493/posts Minneapolis I-35 bridge collapse: Failure Analysis The I-35 West bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, consisted of three trussed spans and several beam and post spans typical of 1960's era freeway construction. Analysis to date here at Free Republic has centered on looking for the triggering cause in the bridge collapse, and the sequence of failure, as determined by available pre- and post-collapse imagery and video. Efforts so far have been hampered by uncertainty regarding the condition and disposition of the eastern truss panels originally located above and near pier 6. I hope to rectify this uncertainty and... opinion http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1884493/posts#comment Tue, 21 Aug 2007 22:20:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1884519/posts President George W. Bush arrived in the Twin Cities at approximately 4:26 p.m. aboard Air Force One at the International Airport's Air Reserve Station. Following a 15-minute closed-door briefing on recovery efforts related to the I-35W bridge collapse and flash flooding in southeastern Minnesota Bush departed for for a private political fundraiser on behalf of U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman. On hand to meet with Bush at the airport were Gov. Tim Pawlenty and First Lady Mary Pawlenty, Coleman, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Reps. Michele Bachmann, John Kline, Keith Ellison, Tim Walz and Betty McCollum and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. Following... StarTribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1884519/posts#comment Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:17:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1884397/posts 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. The recovery brings the total number of confirmed deaths, and recovered victims, to 13. No more victims are believed to remain in the wreckage of the collapse. kmsp fox 9 mpls http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1884397/posts#comment Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:05:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1882074/posts In the wake of the Minneapolis bridge collapse, Gov. Tim Pawlenty's approval rating has climbed to its highest level recorded during his tenure in office, a new poll shows. The poll, conducted by SurveyUSA over the past weekend, found that 59 percent of Minnesotans approve of the job Pawlenty is doing at a time when the aftermath of the collapse has thrust him into the national spotlight. By comparison, 37 percent of Minnesotans disapprove of his job performance and 4 percent have no opinion. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Star Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1882074/posts#comment Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:36:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879423/posts At least seven people died, and he voted for the aid. But that didn’t stop U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski from suggesting Minnesota is trying to “screw” the rest of the country out of federal funding for its collapsed Interstate bridge, generating a firestorm among political bloggers. Comments the Nanticoke Democrat made Tuesday at a regional economic forum at the University of Scranton were posted on political Web logs, or “blogs,” touching off the controversy. “His comments are grossly inappropriate. He needs to apologize to the victims’ families for his rude comments,” a contributor wrote on one Web site. During... The Times-Tribune (Scranton PA) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879423/posts#comment Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:03:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879447/posts Two failed bridges. Two scarily similar scenarios. Last week, the Interstate 35W span over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed under the weight of rush-hour traffic and construction crews. Federal investigators now wonder whether the design of steel plates joining beams is to blame. Eleven years earlier, the eastbound I-90 bridge over the Grand River in Lake County (Ohio) failed. The reason: the same steel plates, called gussets. They had corroded, then buckled after crews blasted them during painting preparations. But while the Minnesota catastrophe has shaken the nation and prompted warnings to states to inspect other truss bridges and... Cleveland Plain Dealer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879447/posts#comment Fri, 10 Aug 2007 21:00:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879150/posts "How long will it take," I thought, as I watched the coverage of the collapsed bridge outside of Minneapolis, "before someone blames President George W. Bush?" It turns out, not long. As divers attempted to locate possible victims submerged in the murky waters of the Mississippi, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) said, "I think we should look at this tragedy that occurred as a wake-up call for us. We have -- all over the country -- crumbling infrastructure, highways, bridges, dams, and we really need to take a hard look at this." Calling it "the right thing to... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879150/posts#comment Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:26:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879170/posts For some, too far is never far enough.... Bob Parks: Black & Right http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879170/posts#comment Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:31:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1878990/posts Taxation: Always ready to use a tragedy to raise taxes, the Democrats want to hike the gas tax in the aftermath of the Minneapolis bridge collapse. The country should be pleased that President Bush rejects the idea. Democrat Rep. Jim Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, has proposed a 5-cent increase on the 18.3 cents-a-gallon federal gasoline tax. The Minnesota congressman says that over three years the extra nickel would raise $25 billion that would be placed in a new trust fund from which money would be drawn to repair or replace structurally deficient highway bridges. We're not saying... IBD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1878990/posts#comment Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:20:01 GMT