WI - 35W bridge in Minneapolis collapses!

[christine2448]

I am thanking God that ALL lanes were NOT open...even though, it seems now they should have ALL been CLOSED! (I wonder if the pressure of having all the traffic on a few lanes may have caused it though?) I have heard reports that only 2 of the 6 lanes were open, one on side and then other reports that 2 of 8...I am not familiar with this bridge, so can't say which statement if either are accurate. What if all 6-8 lanes had been open???

I am so sad for all those involved. I hope there aren't too many more found deceased.

I wonder if video has been taken from local businessess, I wonder if we will ever really see the collapse...a camera some where had to catch it, right?

 

[englishleigh]

Where did you even come up with that? Is this the standard reaction now to every accodemt that happens in the United States?

Paladin, where have you been in the last 6 years? It's something that MUST be considered whenever there is something catastrophic that happens. That's the state of the world we live in now. Fortunately it doesn't seem that it is the case here, but it has to be considered and checked out.

 

[eve]

Oh, friends, I am saying a humble prayer of thanks because my oldest son was on that bridge the day before yesterday during rush hour, as he often is, with his summer job! Just got lucky yesterday, he got off work early. He called to tell me he was ok and I cried in relief.

I am so sad for all those who have lost loved ones and can't imagine the terror of nor knowing as the recovery effort goes on. I am chewing my fingernails waiting to hear if any of my friends or acquaintances were on that bridge. Our stepdaughter lives 2 blocks away from it and is fine, as is her husband, a grad student near the disaster site.

I have lived here for over 20 years and can't count the number of times I have traveled that bridge. They are saying that it had a 50/120 rating when inspected in 2005. The bad news is, that is common for bridges across the country.

Eve

 

[englishleigh]

Oh, friends, I am saying a humble prayer of thanks because my oldest son was on that bridge the day before yesterday during rush hour, as he often is, with his summer job! Just got lucky yesterday, he got off work early. He called to tell me he was ok and I cried in relief.

I am so sad for all those who have lost loved ones and can't imagine the terror of nor knowing as the recovery effort goes on. I am chewing my fingernails waiting to hear if any of my friends or acquaintances were on that bridge. Our stepdaughter lives 2 blocks away from it and is fine, as is her husband, a grad student near the disaster site.

I have lived here for over 20 years and can't count the number of times I have traveled that bridge. They are saying that it had a 50/120 rating when inspected in 2005. The bad news is, that is common for bridges across the country.

Eve

Oh, Eve, I'm so glad your son is ok!!! There was a lady on another site where I post who had traveled over the bridge like 10 minutes before, with her husband who had just had outpt. surgery that day. So thankful for all those who are all right, and praying for those who are not.

 

[SewingDeb]

Thank God your son is safe, Eve.

I've read reports that show the 100 worst bridges in America. I will look for it and add a link if I can find it again.

 

[southcitymom]

Oh, friends, I am saying a humble prayer of thanks because my oldest son was on that bridge the day before yesterday during rush hour, as he often is, with his summer job! Just got lucky yesterday, he got off work early. He called to tell me he was ok and I cried in relief.

I am so sad for all those who have lost loved ones and can't imagine the terror of nor knowing as the recovery effort goes on. I am chewing my fingernails waiting to hear if any of my friends or acquaintances were on that bridge. Our stepdaughter lives 2 blocks away from it and is fine, as is her husband, a grad student near the disaster site.

I have lived here for over 20 years and can't count the number of times I have traveled that bridge. They are saying that it had a 50/120 rating when inspected in 2005. The bad news is, that is common for bridges across the country.

Eve

Oh, Eve. You must feel like a goose walked on your grave. I am so relieved to know your immdeiate family is safe. What a heartbreaking tragedy.

 

[SewingDeb]

Not the article I was looking for but this is scary:

Chicago Commuters Worry About Bridge Safety

Federal Authorities: 110 Structurally Deficient Illinois Bridges Built From 1967-71

(CBS) CHICAGO Commuters may be a little more jittery when taking bridges to get to work following the collapse of the highway bridge in Minneapolis that left at least four dead.

As CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that in 2003, as many as 17.4 million motorists traveled the Chicago Skyway, which spans 7.8 miles and includes non-movable bridge over the Calumet River.

A couple of Skyway drivers said what happened in Minneapolis made them wonder and worry about bridges here.

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_214075849.html


~more at link~

 

[indallas2]

Here is a video of the bridge collapsing.

Early Thursday, CNN shared video that captured the 35W bridge collapsing into the Mississippi River.

The network received the video from an anonymous source.

http://www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx?aid=51365&bw=

WOW, how horrific!!!

Anonymous source.......hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Marthatex]

Evidently the bridge was found to be structurally deficient 2 years ago and possibly in need of replacement, by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.

However, MDot found that the bridge did not need replacement, but "lower chords and diagonals of all floor trusses had HIGH STRESS." They recommended inspection of this every 6 months. (that was 2001, though).

Jeanne Aamodt, of MDOT, noted "many other bridges around the country carry the same designation that the I'35W bridge received"

Well, doesn't that make us all feel better?

You can read the reports on the bridge by following links within this article:

http://www.wcco.com/local/local_story_213233715.html

 

[southcitymom]

Where did you even come up with that? Is this the standard reaction now to every accodemt that happens in the United States?

Not for me, it's not. Never even crossed my mind until I read that comment! But I do think - since 9/11 - more people go there.

 

[Trino]

I was listening to MPR while running errands today. The station interviewed several engineers. Here are some possible ideas as to why the 35W bridge collapsed. The bridge is an arch, with no support underneath, so take your pick. It was built approximately 40 years ago. If you check the video, you can see the side breaking, then the bridge falling.

1. The foundation of much of the Mississsippi River around here is limestone, which erodes easily. It may have shifted enough to dislodge one approach. Of course, the rest of the bridge (arch) went down.

2. There was an imbalance of weight on one side of the bridge.

3. The design was flawed.

4. The materials used in the original construction may have been flawed or substituted.

There are problems now with recovery of the cars/bodies. Divers can only seen about 1 foot under water because the Mississippi is murky water. They are using ropes with attached wires to be able to talk to the surface people. Because it is a city environment, the bottom has lots of debris. Then, too, concrete and steel are all over; finally, there is moving current.

Traffic is a mess. Everyone depends on this Interstate. River traffic cannot get through. There is a railroad under the bridge, which is also at a standstill.

 

[Paladin]

Paladin, where have you been in the last 6 years? It's something that MUST be considered whenever there is something catastrophic that happens. That's the state of the world we live in now. Fortunately it doesn't seem that it is the case here, but it has to be considered and checked out.

The last time I checked the news report said "bridge collapsed", not "bridge exploded", or "bridge exploded and then collapsed".

Questioning whether or not something was because of terrorism, without ANY proof whatsoever, is exactly the kind of crap that these terrorists want us to endure.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Here is a video of the bridge collapsing.

Early Thursday, CNN shared video that captured the 35W bridge collapsing into the Mississippi River.

The network received the video from an anonymous source.

http://www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx?aid=51365&bw=

It bothers me that they would receive this anonymously! Why was this person recording this particular piece of the bridge at the very moment and seemingly the very spot where failure occurred? You can see the twist clearly. I find it quite frightening this video exists. We all know what this could indicate. I am glad they are treating this as a "Crime Scene" even if it turns out to be structure failure...someone could be charged if found they did take shortcuts in building it or in repairs over the years. They need to obtain every piece of this puzzle to determine what happened.

 

[Paladin]

It bothers me that they would receive this anonymously! Why was this person recording this particular piece of the bridge at the very moment and seemingly the very spot where failure occurred? You can see the twist clearly. I find it quite frightening this video exists. We all know what this could indicate. I am glad they are treating this as a "Crime Scene" even if it is structure failure. They need to obtain every piece of this puzzle to determine what happened.

Did you even watch the video? They explained a.) That it was a "security camera video", meaning some random guy wasn't just standing there, and b.) the person who handed it in did it anonymously because "he wasn't sure he had clearance to release the video."

There is no conspiracy here people. Terrorists did not take down this bridge.

 

[deanws]

Paladin, where have you been in the last 6 years? It's something that MUST be considered whenever there is something catastrophic that happens. That's the state of the world we live in now. Fortunately it doesn't seem that it is the case here, but it has to be considered and checked out.

Leigh.... some want to keep their heads buried in the sand. Terrorism has been going on in this country many years before the war even started. Most people are not aware of this fact because until the war...few paid attention. I know exactly where you are coming from.

 

[Trino]

It is my understanding that this is a security camera video. The guy wasn't supposed to release it.

 

[Paladin]

Leigh.... some want to keep their heads buried in the sand. Terrorism has been going on in this country many years before the war even started. Most people are not aware of this fact because until the war...few paid attention. I know exactly where you are coming from.

I don't see it as keeping my head buried in the sand, but I'm not going to live my life in fear and cry terrorism every time something bad happens. What a foolish and sad way to live.

ETA: Since we're comparing birds, better to be an ostrich with my head buried in the sand than running around like a chicken with my head cut off!!! :chicken: :crazy:

 

[Trino]

Can we please get off the terrorism kick?

Once again. THIS WAS AN OFFICIAL SECURITY CAMERA VIDEO. The guy who release it said he didn't have clearance to do so.

 

[christine2448]

Here is a video of the bridge collapsing.

Early Thursday, CNN shared video that captured the 35W bridge collapsing into the Mississippi River.

The network received the video from an anonymous source.

http://www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx?aid=51365&bw=

Thanks Laney, I new there had to be footage from some camera somewhere.

Unbelievable video.

 

[Nova]

Oh, friends, I am saying a humble prayer of thanks because my oldest son was on that bridge the day before yesterday during rush hour, as he often is, with his summer job! Just got lucky yesterday, he got off work early. He called to tell me he was ok and I cried in relief.

I, too, am very glad your son is okay! But having to wonder is the second-worst feeling in the world. Sorry you had to go through that.