WI - 35W bridge in Minneapolis collapses!

[cheko1]

I agree! Build it strong and safe, add a plaque, and dedicate it to "the memory of...". No need for bells and whistles. Not trying to be cynical just logical!
Call me SuperTramp!
Bowing out now, I must be going stir-crazy. :behindbar

Instaed of calling it the 35 W bridge they could rename it the 35 W Memorial bridge. No need to do anymore!!! Change

 

[cheko1]

I agree! Build it strong and safe, add a plaque, and dedicate it to "the memory of...". No need for bells and whistles. Not trying to be cynical just logical!
Call me SuperTramp!
Bowing out now, I must be going stir-crazy. :behindbar

Instead of calling it the 35 W bridge they could rename it the 35 W Memorial bridge. No need to do anymore!!! Change the name & be done with it.

 

[Buzz Mills]

I'm going to protest the Memorial aspect expense of this bridge. Spending extra money is uncalled for, especially considering how much money is going to be required to fix the antiquated infrastructure in this country. If we begin memorializing every unfortunate accident in this country there won't be anywhere to draw the line; all accidents are unfortunate. This bridge wasn't a "Grand Structure" before and frankly I don't feel like helping pay for a "Grand Structure." Better to just build a brdige that is sturdy and strong, rather than Gaudy and Majestic.

Councilwoman Diane Hofstede
Email: [email protected]

Minneapolis City Council
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/

Councilwoman Diane Hofstede
Email: [email protected]

Minneapolis City Council
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Replacement Bridge

 

[panthera]

I listened to the local news / they never said anymore bodies were found.

Divers probably won't go down tomorrow. We've been hit with severe storms. They say that will halt diving. They're saying 3 to 4 inches of rain. Will be close to impossible for divers to get into the water way to dangerous. Have more on the way for tonight also.

Thanks for letting me know. Nothing's on the news tonight of course with the earthquake in Peru, tsunami headed toward Hawaii and of course the trapped miners. Lots of prayers being sent out for everyone in harm's way tonight.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

If they want a "memorial" site...it looked like there are plenty of places along the banks of the river to add an "overlook" type place with benches and a marker which could be done with private donations and not be done ON the bridge itself.

 

[cheko1]

Thanks for letting me know. Nothing's on the news tonight of course with the earthquake in Peru, tsunami headed toward Hawaii and of course the trapped miners. Lots of prayers being sent out for everyone in harm's way tonight.

Here is a little bit of info I found tonight.

Bridge 9, also known as the Dinkytown Bicycle Connection for pedestrians and cyclists in Minneapolis was opened briefly Wednesday to give people the chance to pay their respects to the victims of the 35W bridge collapse.
Prior to the opening of the bridge, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak consulted with Incident Command and the victims' families about allowing the community to view the devastation from the bridge about 1,000 feet downstream.
Lt. Amelia Huffman said that "the decision to open the bridge was made ultimately by the Mayor's office. Initially, there was no objections to that from anyone working at the recovery site. However, the pace of recovery increased dramatically today, necessitating the re-closure of the bridge until the recovery opreation has concluded."
An official familiar with recovery operations stated that "crews have identified remains to be moved from the site. Significant strides have been made in planning for the remaining extrications."
The remains have yet to be identified.

 

[cheko1]

If they want a "memorial" site...it looked like there are plenty of places along the banks of the river to add an "overlook" type place with benches and a marker which could be done with private donations and not be done ON the bridge itself.

The families have now filed lawsuits. I just briefly heard that tidbit of info. I'm sure they need the money more then they care about a Memorial. All they need to do is put a pice of the bridge by the river & a plaque. Be done with it.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

I think the families deserve to file lawsuits! Especially if they find there were critical issues overlooked by the people responsible in keeping the bridge opened when it obviously should have been shut down!

 

[cheko1]

Thank you WindChime!!!

 

[cheko1]

Yess SS I agree the families should all file lawsuits. I heard lawyers were outside the hospitals handing out buisness cards.

Many of the people were returning home from work. Even if they weren't they deserve the money.

 

[cheko1]

Still no word on whose remains were found.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Infromation from the previous thread:

Councilwoman Diane Hofstede
Email: [email protected]

Minneapolis City Council
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Replacement Bridge

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Cheko, would you feel any differently about a memorial if it were your entire family lost in this disaster? I keep thinking about the man who lost his pregnant wife and two year old daughter. A chunk of the bridge and a plaque don't seem like adequate recognition to me. The money he will receive from a lawsuit won't replace his losses or in any way lessen the tragedy brought on by a lack of responsibility by our government.

I think people need a place to congregate to not only remember those who died needlessly, but to serve as a reminder from now on that we cannot let the government continue to make such mistakes in the future. The miracle of not losing the busload of children and the miracle of not losing a hundred more, at least to me, should also be memorialized.

Besides, if it is built with private donations, the taxpayers aren't out anything. (People are going to put up make-shift memorials and other "sightseers" will be taking photos for years to come etc. making it a neccessary and safe place along the banks of the river.)

 

[Buzz Mills]

Remains found from Minn. bridge collapse

MINNEAPOLIS - Human remains were found in two of four vehicles taken from the wreckage of the Interstate 35 bridge collapse since Wednesday evening, officials said Thursday.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that the first remains were found a vehicle recovered about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday. The second set of remains were found about 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

All the vehicles were taken from the Mississippi River bottom, the release said.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office was working to identify the remains and notify their families.

The bridge collapsed Aug. 1. Officials have released the identities of nine people killed in the crash. Before the latest recovery of remains, four people were listed as missing.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070816/ap_on_re_us/bridge_collapse

 

[cheko1]

Cheko, would you feel any differently about a memorial if it were your entire family lost in this disaster? I keep thinking about the man who lost his pregnant wife and two year old daughter. A chunk of the bridge and a plaque don't seem like adequate recognition to me. The money he will receive from a lawsuit won't replace his losses or in any way lessen the tragedy brought on by a lack of responsibility by our government.

I think people need a place to congregate to not only remember those who died needlessly, but to serve as a reminder from now on that we cannot let the government continue to make such mistakes in the future. The miracle of not losing the busload of children and the miracle of not losing a hundred more, at least to me, should also be memorialized.

Besides, if it is built with private donations, the taxpayers aren't out anything. (People are going to put up make-shift memorials and other "sightseers" will be taking photos for years to come etc. making it a neccessary and safe place along the banks of the river.)

SS I had to give this some thought.........if my entire family had died on the bridge I would not want a Memorial! The cemetary is the place for that or a place of my choice. Down in Oklahoma it was needed many many died. The Twin Towers need one many many died.

Yes the people died needlessly & yes the goverment failed Americans once again & yes many were saved & it was a miracle. But darn the infrastructures need replaced before a tragedy such as this happen again.

My son was on that bridge approx a hr before it colapsed he was very lucky. Given them circumstances I think I can honestly say no I would not want a Memorial. I'd want all the bridges fixed so nobody else had to suffer the horrible loss I did.

His best friend was on the helicopter that went down in the Pacific in Jan off the coast of San Diego. His wife got his ashes. His parents got a headstone for themselves & can put flowers near it & it has a picture of him. His Mom & Dad are good friends of mine. The Navy took them out to show them the approx location he went down in. They each threw a rose out for him. She said if, I never see the damn ocean again it'll be to soon.

'IF' it were built with PRIVATE donations I could possibly handle that. But Mn isn't planning on private donations! They need to replace the bridges that need replaced before it happens again. :blowkiss:

 

[Buzz Mills]

DRAFT*Statement*of*Principles*
Revised*8/16/07*
*
REBUILDING*THE*I‐35W*BRIDGE*
*
Interstate*35W*is*a*crucial*transportation*artery*for*the*Minneapolis*–*Saint*Paul*region*and*the*State*of*Minnesota.**It*is*vital*that*we*rebuild*a*safe*bridge*in*an*orderly*and*efficient*way.**We*need*to*do*that*as*expeditiously*as*is*reasonable,*but*most*importantly,*we*need*to*do*it*right.*
*
We*believe:
*
• That*the*new*I‐35W*Bridge*should*be*designed*and*built*to*meet*present*and*future*transportation*needs;*
• That*the*new*bridge*should*be*designed*to*improve*vehicle*capacity*and*also*provide*transit*capacity;*
• That*the*new*bridge*design*should*incorporate,*and*certainly*not*preclude*options*for*future*transit*improvements,*including*light*rail*and*bus*rapid*transit;*
• To*provide*accurate*and*timely*information*to*the*public*and*to*seek*out*and*consider*community*input*into*the*design*and*constuction*process.
• That*we*should*work*together*to*support*and*identify*funding*to*address*other*transportation*needs*to*ensure*that*the*new*bridg*functions*efficiently*once*it*is*built;*and*
• That*the*bridge*should*be*built*to*meet*all*current*environmental*standards.
**
In*recognition*of*the*individuals*who*were*lost*in*the*I‐35W*Bridge*Collapse,*a*memorial*should*be*created.
**
The*Minnesota*Department*of*Transportation*should*provide*accurate*and*timely*information*to*the*public*and*seek*out*and*considr*community*input*into*the*design*and*construction*process.
**
COMMITMENT*TO*IMPROVING*RELATED*INFRASTRUCTURE*
*
In*addition*to*the*I‐35W*Bridge,*we*also*see*an*opportunity*to*dramatically*improve*the*overall*infrastructure*of*the*corridor*and*to*safely*accommodate*futuretransportation*and*transit*needs.**We*are*committed*to*avoiding*
shortsighted*solutions*that*will*quickly*replace*the*bridge,*but*may*not*give*adequate*consideration*to*the*long‐term*infrastructure*needs*of*the*disaster*area.
**
Prudent*and*orderly*planning*is*necessary*on*the*front*end,*and*can*be*done*in*a*way*so*not*to*jeopardize*eligibility*for*emergency*federal*funding.
**
To*address*these*related*infrastructure*needs,*we*believe:*
• That*we*should*develop*a*bridge*design*that*addresses*the*bottleneck*created*by*the*University*and*4th*Street*bridges*on*the*noth*end*of*the*site;
• That*we*should*provide*transit*enhancements*along*the*I‐35W*corridor,*and*transit‐oriented*services*for*downtown*Minneapolis;*
• That*design*and*planning*for*the*new*I‐35W*Bridge*reduce*congestion*using*strategies*outlined*in*the*Urban*Partnership*Agreement;
• That*we*should*develop*and*approve*a*design*immediately*south*of*the*bridge*that*supplements*the*existing*freeway*access*providd*at*Washington*Avenue,*which*is*currently*at*capacity.
**
We*are*committed*to*working*with*our*local,*state*and*federal*partners*to*make*these*prudent*investments*as*much*as*possible*during*the*freeway*closure.*This*comprehensive*and*coordinated*approach*will,*over*time,*provide*the*most*cost‐effective*and*safe*infrastructure*improvements*for*the*State.

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cou.../docs/DRAFT_StatementofPrinciples20070816.pdf

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Cheko...makes perfect sense to me. : )

 

[Buzz Mills]

DRAFT*Statement*of*Principles*
Revised*8/16/07*
*
REBUILDING*THE*I‐35W*BRIDGE*
*
Interstate*35W*is*a*crucial*transportation*artery*for*the*Minneapolis*–*Saint*Paul*region*and*the*State*of*Minnesota.**It*is*vital*that*we*rebuild*a*safe*bridge*in*an*orderly*and*efficient*way.**We*need*to*do*that*as*expeditiously*as*is*reasonable,*but*most*importantly,*we*need*to*do*it*right.*
*
We*believe:
*
• That*the*new*I‐35W*Bridge*should*be*designed*and*built*to*meet*present*and*future*transportation*needs;*
• That*the*new*bridge*should*be*designed*to*improve*vehicle*capacity*and*also*provide*transit*capacity;*
• That*the*new*bridge*design*should*incorporate,*and*certainly*not*preclude*options*for*future*transit*improvements,*including*light*rail*and*bus*rapid*transit;*
• To*provide*accurate*and*timely*information*to*the*public*and*to*seek*out*and*consider*community*input*into*the*design*and*constuction*process.
• That*we*should*work*together*to*support*and*identify*funding*to*address*other*transportation*needs*to*ensure*that*the*new*bridg*functions*efficiently*once*it*is*built;*and*
• That*the*bridge*should*be*built*to*meet*all*current*environmental*standards.
**
In*recognition*of*the*individuals*who*were*lost*in*the*I‐35W*Bridge*Collapse,*a*memorial*should*be*created.
**
The*Minnesota*Department*of*Transportation*should*provide*accurate*and*timely*information*to*the*public*and*seek*out*and*considr*community*input*into*the*design*and*construction*process.
**
COMMITMENT*TO*IMPROVING*RELATED*INFRASTRUCTURE*
*
In*addition*to*the*I‐35W*Bridge,*we*also*see*an*opportunity*to*dramatically*improve*the*overall*infrastructure*of*the*corridor*and*to*safely*accommodate*futuretransportation*and*transit*needs.**We*are*committed*to*avoiding*
shortsighted*solutions*that*will*quickly*replace*the*bridge,*but*may*not*give*adequate*consideration*to*the*long‐term*infrastructure*needs*of*the*disaster*area.
**
Prudent*and*orderly*planning*is*necessary*on*the*front*end,*and*can*be*done*in*a*way*so*not*to*jeopardize*eligibility*for*emergency*federal*funding.
**
To*address*these*related*infrastructure*needs,*we*believe:*
• That*we*should*develop*a*bridge*design*that*addresses*the*bottleneck*created*by*the*University*and*4th*Street*bridges*on*the*noth*end*of*the*site;
• That*we*should*provide*transit*enhancements*along*the*I‐35W*corridor,*and*transit‐oriented*services*for*downtown*Minneapolis;*
• That*design*and*planning*for*the*new*I‐35W*Bridge*reduce*congestion*using*strategies*outlined*in*the*Urban*Partnership*Agreement;
• That*we*should*develop*and*approve*a*design*immediately*south*of*the*bridge*that*supplements*the*existing*freeway*access*providd*at*Washington*Avenue,*which*is*currently*at*capacity.
**
We*are*committed*to*working*with*our*local,*state*and*federal*partners*to*make*these*prudent*investments*as*much*as*possible*during*the*freeway*closure.*This*comprehensive*and*coordinated*approach*will,*over*time,*provide*the*most*cost‐effective*and*safe*infrastructure*improvements*for*the*State.

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cou.../docs/DRAFT_StatementofPrinciples20070816.pdf

The above looks just like a listing of Barry Bonds records. LOL

 

[panthera]

Two more bodies recovered ~

Updated: 12:39 p.m. PT Aug 16, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS - Search crews overnight pulled out the 10th and 11th bodies from the wreckage of the interstate bridge collapse, officials said Thursday, and loved ones of two of the four people still missing said their sad wait had ended.

The remains weren’t immediately identified by officials, but family members and friends of Vera Peck and Christina Sacorafas said their bodies were found.

The first remains were found in a vehicle recovered about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, with the second set of remains found about 3:30 a.m. Thursday, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The vehicles were taken from the Mississippi River bottom, where the bridge plummeted Aug. 1, the release said.
David Chit, former husband of Peck, 50, of Bloomington, said her body was recovered.

“Obviously we are in the mourning mode right now,” Chit said.

Separately, the Daughters of Penelope, a national Greek community group, issued a statement saying crews had recovered the body of Sacorafas, a member of the group. Sacorafas, 45, of White Bear Lake, had been driving to her church to teach a folk dancing class at the time the bridge fell.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20297803/

 

[Buzz Mills]

Two more bodies recovered ~

Updated: 12:39 p.m. PT Aug 16, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS - Search crews overnight pulled out the 10th and 11th bodies from the wreckage of the interstate bridge collapse, officials said Thursday, and loved ones of two of the four people still missing said their sad wait had ended.

The remains weren’t immediately identified by officials, but family members and friends of Vera Peck and Christina Sacorafas said their bodies were found.

The first remains were found in a vehicle recovered about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, with the second set of remains found about 3:30 a.m. Thursday, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The vehicles were taken from the Mississippi River bottom, where the bridge plummeted Aug. 1, the release said.
David Chit, former husband of Peck, 50, of Bloomington, said her body was recovered.

“Obviously we are in the mourning mode right now,” Chit said.

Separately, the Daughters of Penelope, a national Greek community group, issued a statement saying crews had recovered the body of Sacorafas, a member of the group. Sacorafas, 45, of White Bear Lake, had been driving to her church to teach a folk dancing class at the time the bridge fell.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20297803/

The 12th and 13th, still as yet unrecovered, bodies, are:

Greg Jolstad, 45, of Mora; and Scott Sathers, 29, of Maple Grove.