WI - 35W bridge in Minneapolis collapses!

[Laneymae]

Local stations will have the most coverage. Then the networks pick up what they think the national audiance would like. So try WCCO or one of the other stations or newspapers. I know that every reporter from the stations and newspapers are out there right now and don't plan to leave until the day shift comes in. The Today Show, The Early Show, And Good Morning America all have producers out working tonight.

For written updates, go to http://www.startribune.com/

That is our local paper and they will have updates and the front page will show the most tragic picture.

 

[Laneymae]

Seven people have died.

BREAKING NEWS: At least seven people are dead after all four lanes of the Interstate 35W Mississippi River bridge near University Avenue collapsed into the river and onto businesses underneath the highway during rush hour.
More at http://wcco.com/

 

[KatK]

The latest survivor account on CNN gives the age of the kids on the school bus as "eight to fourteen". Click the video tab to watch CNN's videos.

 

[reportertype]

Nine dead, according to the Star-Tribune

 

[KatK]

Imagine if all the lanes were open. I think it would have been worse, since those who took alternate routes might not have.

 

[Laneymae]

CNN is reporting that there were at least 50 cars in the river.

This was not posted on the website, but watching CNN live.

 

[Camper]

Current radio news bleeps said, "They do not know the cause of the collapse yet, forensics will be important".

Two witnesses last night said they heard explosion and saw BLACK smoke immediately after. Different points of view from dif locations, hmmm.

Pictures on the news last night showing that big ol white truck with its front end down in the bridge collapse crack - they were surely pouring lots of water on the front smoking end of THAT truck. I am wondering what the truck was hauling or what will be found in the truck that needed attention with so much water.

When I was in the hospital, from Thursday on, wasn't there another bridge collapse somewhere too???? Help me out on that one, I was on morphine and remember seeing pictures of a collapsed bridge, thought it was CA?!?

Horrendous.

WE need to get more picky about where WE spend our hard earned tax dollars. It is good to be charitable to others, but~~ neglecting America is WRONG.

.

 

[Camper]

""Afterthought - surely when the bridge parts hit the ground there would be dirt clouds, but initially IF the collapse happened at the top of the arch, there would not be dirt clouds UP there.""

I am still sorta clutching a thought about even a small well placed charge at that critical point COULD have done it. One witness a lady that had passed that point earlier, said there was a HOLE in the surface, wonder why if it was all surface work? She gave a very literate account from her view when passing.

.

 

[MagicRose99]

Current radio news bleeps said, "They do not know the cause of the collapse yet, forensics will be important".

Two witnesses last night said they heard explosion and saw BLACK smoke immediately after. Different points of view from dif locations, hmmm.

Pictures on the news last night showing that big ol white truck with its front end down in the bridge collapse crack - they were surely pouring lots of water on the front smoking end of THAT truck. I am wondering what the truck was hauling or what will be found in the truck that needed attention with so much water.

When I was in the hospital, from Thursday on, wasn't there another bridge collapse somewhere too???? Help me out on that one, I was on morphine and remember seeing pictures of a collapsed bridge, thought it was CA?!?

Horrendous.

WE need to get more picky about where WE spend our hard earned tax dollars. It is good to be charitable to others, but~~ neglecting America is WRONG.

.

Not a bridge, an overpass... and nothing so horrific as this:
http://cbs13.com/topstories/local_story_213100930.html

 

[Laneymae]

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=

 

[reportertype]

WE need to get more picky about where WE spend our hard earned tax dollars. It is good to be charitable to others, but~~ neglecting America is WRONG.

.

Very, very true.

 

[Mysticchic]

It looks like the video is from a surveillance video recorder.

 

[catsmeow]

I never used to have a fear of bridges until I lived in Charleston and had to go over the Old Cooper River Bridge. It is the most rickety thing I've ever seen. SCARY. It had a ONE rating back then when they built the New Cooper River Bridge but they didn't even close the Old Cooper. Cars drove so close together you could reach out your window and touch the next one and it literally creaked.
I feel for those people out there. This is incredibly sad. My prayers are with those families.

 

[Paladin]

Unfortunately in this day and age, I think it is. After 9-11, it's like waiting for "what's next?"

News is reporting 7 fatalities now.

Whoo was I a bit tipsy last night. Meant accident, not accodemt. :laugh:

 

[SewingDeb]

DID I mention that I am moving ????? On the other side if the 7 mile bridge?

Very wise. There are some bridges over deep gorges here that really scare me.

 

[SewingDeb]

4 dead, 60 injured, 20 missing as recovery efforts continue

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1338294.html

 

[Trino]

http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1338970.html

There's going to be a lot of blaming all around. Gov. Pawlenty says it was safe, yet this story says it wasn't. Of course, it obviously wasn't.

Unfortunately, the emphasis in MN has been on light rail, and that's where they money went. It's been controversial, with many saying that roads need improvement. Well, this is certainly going to cost $$$. I'll bet lawyers are already lining up.

 

[Laneymae]

4 dead, 60 injured, 20 missing as recovery efforts continue

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1338294.html

Have been watching all morning and my heart goes out to the families of the missing and injured.

 

[opme]

My heart and prayers are with those Minneapolis affected by this tragedy today. I have been to this city a number of times on business and have traveled this bridge span. One of our offices is located in Golden Valley not far from the 35W bridge span.. its very likely that some were using this bridge yesterday. I am praying that none of them have been affected by this awful collapse. I dont wish this on any one and I am so glad to hear that the children on the bus are ok. I am also so glad to hear of so many who went to aid those folks injured immediately after the collapse. its heartening to know that so many ran toward the bridge rather than away from it ..

 

[Laneymae]

http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1338970.html

There's going to be a lot of blaming all around. Gov. Pawlenty says it was safe, yet this story says it wasn't. Of course, it obviously wasn't.

Unfortunately, the emphasis in MN has been on light rail, and that's where they money went. It's been controversial, with many saying that roads need improvement. Well, this is certainly going to cost $$$. I'll bet lawyers are already lining up.

I've been watching Pawlenty on television acting so concerned, but ran across this article this morning. I want to see him talk his way out of this one. This is from May 2007.

snip~The Minnesota House and Senate have given final passage to legislation that would increase the state gas tax by a nickel a gallon to pay for roads and bridges.

The action sets up another showdown with Gov. Pawlenty, who has promised to veto any gas tax increase. If that happens, DFL lawmakers will try to convince a sufficient number of Republicans to join them in a vote to override the veto.

Supporters say the revenue is needed to catch up with needed road and bridge
improvements.

Sen. Steve Murphy of Red Wing says the gas tax would also help stop what he describes as the carnage on Minnesota highways.

"I've been to several funerals, several in the past three years, where friends of mine lost their kids because the roads are in such terrible shape in the state. Is it personal? You bet it is. And I think it should be personal for everyone in here," he said on the Senate floor.

More info at link: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/05/14/gastax/