Minneapolis bridge collapse
- Thread starter cheri1122
- Start date
3 confirmed deaths and from the pictures probably many more. Reports have 20 workers on the bridge at the time of the collapse plus bumper to bumper rush hour traffic. Heavy rains and thunder storms are moving into the area.
The Department of Homeland Security has said it was not an act of terrorism.
The Department of Homeland Security has said it was not an act of terrorism.
Wow! I just learned of this. We are home now (Minnesota). This is a developing story. The Star Tribune, KSTP-TV and WCCO-TV headquarters are all just blocks from that bridge. They will be all over this story. The Strib (as it is known locally) reports one fatality at this time. WCCO-TV is doing continuious coverage. Logging off here to watch it.
Our run tomorrow takes us south of Minneapolis. This is gong to mess up Twin Cities traffic for a good long time. U.S. 36 is closed for major repairs. I-35E north of Saint Paul is a construction mess too. While sad thoughts rise for the dead and injured (and a selfish thought hoping it is no one we know), good thoughts also rise. There was a school bus full of kids on that bridge. By luck or by the grace of God, the bus did not plunge, but stayed on part of the road or bridge that did not fall.
Our run tomorrow takes us south of Minneapolis. This is gong to mess up Twin Cities traffic for a good long time. U.S. 36 is closed for major repairs. I-35E north of Saint Paul is a construction mess too. While sad thoughts rise for the dead and injured (and a selfish thought hoping it is no one we know), good thoughts also rise. There was a school bus full of kids on that bridge. By luck or by the grace of God, the bus did not plunge, but stayed on part of the road or bridge that did not fall.
dhalltoyo
Veteran Expediter
We can not understand the mind of God, but we can have hope, and we can provide comfort to those in time of need.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2Corinthians 1:3-4
[A HREF="http://charitybaptist.org/Our%20Church/Staff/Brian%20Hargis/Tracts/When%20Disaster%20Strikes/When%20Disaster%20Strikes.htm"] When Disaster Strikes[/A]
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2Corinthians 1:3-4
[A HREF="http://charitybaptist.org/Our%20Church/Staff/Brian%20Hargis/Tracts/When%20Disaster%20Strikes/When%20Disaster%20Strikes.htm"] When Disaster Strikes[/A]
I watched that story all night and to my way of thinking it was way to clean the way it fell. You would think one section would start to go down and the other sections would then twist and buckle. The one area was a complete break almost as if a knife cut it and all 3 sections went down at the same time. Makes you wonder.
dhalltoyo
Veteran Expediter
I did some bridge work as a Heavy Equipment Operator.
Once we moved a whole section of bridge over a power plant discharge channel. I can remember thinking this crane with a million pound counterbalance is going to topple over when the joints were cut through with torches. Cut one side and the connection on the other side pulled loose without indication.
One of the reports indictaed that they had been working on the joints.
Structural stresses do some very weird things.
One of the city officials said that the bridge was unique in its design.
Once we moved a whole section of bridge over a power plant discharge channel. I can remember thinking this crane with a million pound counterbalance is going to topple over when the joints were cut through with torches. Cut one side and the connection on the other side pulled loose without indication.
One of the reports indictaed that they had been working on the joints.
Structural stresses do some very weird things.
One of the city officials said that the bridge was unique in its design.
With the first round of reporting now moving into the second round of more in-depth coverage, a theme is emerging that should give all of us pause.
The bridge was not blown up by terrorists. It failed for other reasons that remain yet unknown. It has been inspected both by state and federal inspectors at various times and not so long ago. Yet, no one saw this coming. No one has emerged with information saying the bridge should have been replaced long ago or that it was in danger of failing now.
Most expediters have had the pleasure of being stuck in rush hour traffic on a big bridge while feeling the bridge vibrate as you sit there. The Minneapolis bridge colapse under rush hour traffic provides cause for concern.
The bridge was not blown up by terrorists. It failed for other reasons that remain yet unknown. It has been inspected both by state and federal inspectors at various times and not so long ago. Yet, no one saw this coming. No one has emerged with information saying the bridge should have been replaced long ago or that it was in danger of failing now.
Most expediters have had the pleasure of being stuck in rush hour traffic on a big bridge while feeling the bridge vibrate as you sit there. The Minneapolis bridge colapse under rush hour traffic provides cause for concern.
FAMILYEXPDT
Seasoned Expediter
The bridge was last inspected 2004 with replacement plans in place for 2025-2037. This was not that old of a bridge.....I grew up in the Twin Cities and all of my best friends are there...one is a nurse who was immediately called in (trauma) and when I finally got a hold of her I was told it is much worse than what we are seeing on TV. Keep our hearts and prayers with those people....
-charlotte
-charlotte
pelicn
Veteran Expediter
We listened to the reports most of last night because we had a delivery in Minneapolis this morning. Luckily when we went through there was very little traffic, but we could see that they had the road shutdown.
Sure gives you pause when you think of the number of bridges that we all cross in a day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved in this terrible tragedy.
Sure gives you pause when you think of the number of bridges that we all cross in a day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved in this terrible tragedy.
So hot last night I got a motel room in Indy. I first heard about it while watching ESPN last night. On CNN this morning, the usual continuous coverage is on, and one interesting several things emerged.
1) A report indicated that the bridge needed replacement, i.e., it had structural deficiencies. But supposedly it was good til 2020-25.
2) Bridges like this were designed 40 yrs ago when traffic was less, and trucks were smaller.
3) Apparently a freight train was also passing below on the other span, while traffic was sitting almost parked, just before a baseball game downtown.
It appears that there are many cars underwater. The river seems very high and there has been a lot of rain in the upper midwest & plain states. Seems the problem likely came from far below in the structure under water, to cause such a massive sudden collapse.
How many others all over the US are like this? We have a country where the infrastructure is decaying, and has not had the re-build necessary over the past 20 years. Seems there is not a day that goes by without a major train wreck, bridge collapse, or industrial disaster...Yet we have more than enough money to fight in Iraq!
1) A report indicated that the bridge needed replacement, i.e., it had structural deficiencies. But supposedly it was good til 2020-25.
2) Bridges like this were designed 40 yrs ago when traffic was less, and trucks were smaller.
3) Apparently a freight train was also passing below on the other span, while traffic was sitting almost parked, just before a baseball game downtown.
It appears that there are many cars underwater. The river seems very high and there has been a lot of rain in the upper midwest & plain states. Seems the problem likely came from far below in the structure under water, to cause such a massive sudden collapse.
How many others all over the US are like this? We have a country where the infrastructure is decaying, and has not had the re-build necessary over the past 20 years. Seems there is not a day that goes by without a major train wreck, bridge collapse, or industrial disaster...Yet we have more than enough money to fight in Iraq!
>
>It appears that there are many cars underwater. The river
>seems very high and there has been a lot of rain in the
>upper midwest & plain states. Seems the problem likely came
>from far below in the structure under water, to cause such a
>massive sudden collapse.
>
The Mississippi River is very low. Little rain has fallen this summer in Northern Minnesota, at least until last night. The Army Corp of Engineers operates the very first navigational lock on the Mississippi River system. This lock is less than 1/8 mile upstream of the fallen I-35W bridge. The Corp has closed the spillway, lessening the flow of water down stream toward the collapsed bridge.
>It appears that there are many cars underwater. The river
>seems very high and there has been a lot of rain in the
>upper midwest & plain states. Seems the problem likely came
>from far below in the structure under water, to cause such a
>massive sudden collapse.
>
The Mississippi River is very low. Little rain has fallen this summer in Northern Minnesota, at least until last night. The Army Corp of Engineers operates the very first navigational lock on the Mississippi River system. This lock is less than 1/8 mile upstream of the fallen I-35W bridge. The Corp has closed the spillway, lessening the flow of water down stream toward the collapsed bridge.
dieseldiva
Veteran Expediter
>
>Most expediters have had the pleasure of being stuck in rush
>hour traffic on a big bridge while feeling the bridge
>vibrate as you sit there. The Minneapolis bridge collapse
>under rush hour traffic provides cause for concern.
The Ambassador comes to mind, what a scary old thing that one is!!!
>Most expediters have had the pleasure of being stuck in rush
>hour traffic on a big bridge while feeling the bridge
>vibrate as you sit there. The Minneapolis bridge collapse
>under rush hour traffic provides cause for concern.
The Ambassador comes to mind, what a scary old thing that one is!!!
>How many others all over the US are like this? We have a
>country where the infrastructure is decaying, and has not
>had the re-build necessary over the past 20 years. Seems
>there is not a day that goes by without a major train wreck,
>bridge collapse, or industrial disaster...Yet we have more
>than enough money to fight in Iraq!
Not to mention pouring millions into Iraq infrastructure improvements. Maybe the way to improve the infrastructure in the U.S. is to convince President Bush that there are weapons of mass destruction in the United States.
>country where the infrastructure is decaying, and has not
>had the re-build necessary over the past 20 years. Seems
>there is not a day that goes by without a major train wreck,
>bridge collapse, or industrial disaster...Yet we have more
>than enough money to fight in Iraq!
Not to mention pouring millions into Iraq infrastructure improvements. Maybe the way to improve the infrastructure in the U.S. is to convince President Bush that there are weapons of mass destruction in the United States.
unorthodoxneon
Expert Expediter
I'm sitting in just outside minneapolis and its definatly scary. One thing that kinda scares me is what if the bridge didnt collapse that day and decided to wait longer till i crossed it comming with a load out of Minn? Or collapse when i was on it about 4 months ago?
Alot to think about.
And want to talk about a scary bridge, cross the Mackinac Bridge! Never taken the Ambassador but have in the tunnel in personal vehicles. Makes you think twice.
Also a side note the Zillwaukee Bridge on I-75 was deemed unsafe at one point and then was cleared without any work being done....
And a point that was made about Iraqs spending could reach a Trillion i heard? Man i bet you detroit would have nice paved roads if they gave it to states instead of overseas...
Ok, me done ranting.... BTW is panther having a meeting near Minneapolis?
Alot to think about.
And want to talk about a scary bridge, cross the Mackinac Bridge! Never taken the Ambassador but have in the tunnel in personal vehicles. Makes you think twice.
Also a side note the Zillwaukee Bridge on I-75 was deemed unsafe at one point and then was cleared without any work being done....
And a point that was made about Iraqs spending could reach a Trillion i heard? Man i bet you detroit would have nice paved roads if they gave it to states instead of overseas...
Ok, me done ranting.... BTW is panther having a meeting near Minneapolis?
From Bloomburg news:
"Minnesota inspectors examined the Interstate 35W span yearly since 1993, and stepped up reviews this year, said Dan Dorgan, the state's bridge engineer. Yet the state concluded the structure didn't need to be replaced until 2020, he said."
That's what troubles me the most. Inspections WERE conducted. Responsible people laid eyes on the bridge on a regular basis. Yet the thing fell out from under people without warning and they free-fell into the river and wreckage below.
Officials have since ordered the immediate inspection of all bridges in the U.S. that are similarly constructed. So what? Why should we have any more confidence in them than we had in the people that inspected the Minneapolis bridge?
No one is publicly raising questions like "Has a culture of complacency taken root in the inspector community?" "Are inspectors reluctant to tell the whole story on the bridges they inspect out of fear of losing their inspection contracts?" and "What is the revolving -door relationship, if any, between high-paid inspector consulting companies and DOT managers?"
Minnesota's local, state and federal political leaders from two parites and emergency response officials from various agencies made a very good presentations after the bridge collapse. They really did do a good job putting partisian and jurisdictional rivalries aside and focusing on the proper tasks at hand. But now that the political leaders are no longer in the national news, will they follow through for the months and years it will take, or will they revert to their traditional political games?
These are the questions going through my mind as Diane and I drive over and under bridges all day long.
"Minnesota inspectors examined the Interstate 35W span yearly since 1993, and stepped up reviews this year, said Dan Dorgan, the state's bridge engineer. Yet the state concluded the structure didn't need to be replaced until 2020, he said."
That's what troubles me the most. Inspections WERE conducted. Responsible people laid eyes on the bridge on a regular basis. Yet the thing fell out from under people without warning and they free-fell into the river and wreckage below.
Officials have since ordered the immediate inspection of all bridges in the U.S. that are similarly constructed. So what? Why should we have any more confidence in them than we had in the people that inspected the Minneapolis bridge?
No one is publicly raising questions like "Has a culture of complacency taken root in the inspector community?" "Are inspectors reluctant to tell the whole story on the bridges they inspect out of fear of losing their inspection contracts?" and "What is the revolving -door relationship, if any, between high-paid inspector consulting companies and DOT managers?"
Minnesota's local, state and federal political leaders from two parites and emergency response officials from various agencies made a very good presentations after the bridge collapse. They really did do a good job putting partisian and jurisdictional rivalries aside and focusing on the proper tasks at hand. But now that the political leaders are no longer in the national news, will they follow through for the months and years it will take, or will they revert to their traditional political games?
These are the questions going through my mind as Diane and I drive over and under bridges all day long.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Sorry guys, but the blame sits with the governors of the state – no one else. They alone should be held accountable for the infrastructure of the state and the state should not at this moment turn to the federal government for funds to rebuild the bridge.
Let Minnesota people pick up the tab to rebuild the bridge and compensate the families for this inexcusable loss, it is their fault to elect people who were supposed to watch this. Maybe this will clean up the state and get people in there that won’t just point the finger at others when it comes to problems.
I heard there is a lot of blame for not raising fuel taxes to cover the cost of the repairs of these bridges when there was a surplus and the governor(s) of the state of Minnesota, as with other governors, fail to understand that the infrastructure should take precedence over things like lunch programs, bailing out teachers pensions and other things.
I for one can’t see why people blame the inspectors, blame the federal government and working with some inspectors in the city of Detroit, many of their reports went ignored, so I would assume that this is a more common practice on the transportation side of things as what will ever be discussed.
Let Minnesota people pick up the tab to rebuild the bridge and compensate the families for this inexcusable loss, it is their fault to elect people who were supposed to watch this. Maybe this will clean up the state and get people in there that won’t just point the finger at others when it comes to problems.
I heard there is a lot of blame for not raising fuel taxes to cover the cost of the repairs of these bridges when there was a surplus and the governor(s) of the state of Minnesota, as with other governors, fail to understand that the infrastructure should take precedence over things like lunch programs, bailing out teachers pensions and other things.
I for one can’t see why people blame the inspectors, blame the federal government and working with some inspectors in the city of Detroit, many of their reports went ignored, so I would assume that this is a more common practice on the transportation side of things as what will ever be discussed.