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I35w Bridge Collapses
The bridge over the Mississippi River. At least 4 fatalities, several still missing. News from: WCCO, KARE 11, Pioneer Press. Information from: City of Minneapolis, Twin Cities Red Cross. Thursday Twins game postponed.
791 Reader Comments
Lots of wild speculation on the various channels. Can't wait for some more "official" word to come out.
That is some freaky stuff. DeRusha is on the air right now giving a blow by blow.
Could people who have to go that way start checking in. Yepnope, I left you a voicemail but phones are royally fucked so...
I'm praying for everyone to get home safely.
It's this bridge
MPR reports.
KARE11 reports.
Jason is on the scene, reporting.
I hope everyone is safe. I hope for the best for those out there. This all just looks so sureal. Be well all.
Cell phone companies are asking people to avoid unnecessary phone calls as the system is overloaded.
I tried calling some friends up there and it took 5 or 6 times to get through.
My text messages are delayed too. But I heard from Rich and he's ok. He was going that way, but didn't take 35. I hope everyone else is safe too.
Here's the first eyewitness report I can find.
Very scary. I am wishing everyone involved well.
Very scary stuff. Never saw this coming. We use that stretch of road quite often.
I don't understand where all the rush-hour cars went. I'm speaking to a Henn Co Dep Sheriff relative who's down there, and they're not seeing many cars in the water.
KSTP tv has been interviewing a few people who were on the bridge...they said it shook and then pancaked.
Glad amber and rich you are OK
KSTP said 30-50. They are talking to a safety engineer now.
Apparently, bobby_b, a lot of them were able to back up and reverse in time. Hopefully that's the case and not that most of them are already totally submerged in the river...
Thanks, Kwatt...
KSTP said a May 2006 inspection noticed cracking in the steel structure at the girders under the roadway and their connections.
I was six blocks from the bridge when it happened. Indoors. Didn't hear a thing. Took the skyway home and that's when I found out.
This is so scary. I can't believe what I'm seeing. I pray that everyone is okay.
I hate network news! aggghhhhh
Glad amber and rich you are OK
Well, I'm not Amber, but she's ok too.
hope everyone is ok
There's a lot of media and individuals throwing theories, rumors and various bits and pieces of history around without context.
Shit, now I'm worried about yepnope.
Live Feed on KSTP.
Local blogs checking in:
Afterglide is okay
Transit Librarian is okay
First Last and Always is okay
Mediation is okay
Birdchick is okay
Live Feed on KSTP.
What's there to throw around, Aaron? The bridge collapsed. There was road construction on it, along with the usual heavy traffic.
Judging by one aerial view on 'CCO, it looked like some cars slid under a portion of the bridge but were kind of hard to see (I had to rewind a couple of times).
The service road off of St. Anthony Main (the one with the big "authorized personnel blah blah" on the cul-de-sac near the UofM steam plant/Stone Arch Bridge terminus) led right down to a spot underneath the 35W bridge, providing a nice view of the locks, the Stone Arch, and the Guthrie/Mill City area. I'd ride my bike down there on Sunday morning, and sit on one of the concrete supports to "just chill for a bit".
As I'm kinda familiar with the area... that's a really big fall.
I was just down there a few weeks ago taking some pictures... After I get home I'll try to post the pictures I took of the bridge's structure/support beams... not that they're going to reveal anything; just as some kind of rememberance or somethign. Damn. This really is surreal.
With the construction going on north of the bridge, and the freeway reduced from three lanes to two lanes or one, I would imagine those who could have avoided the construction zone were already doing so, thus the bridge was not carrying as much traffic as it might otherwise have carried.
Driving into downtown before six, I drove south under the bridge to 4th St. I did notice quite a bit of "parked traffic" around 5:45 on the bridge, due no doubt to the lane reduction further ahead. I'm wondering if the extra weight (lbs per square inch) was a contributing factor in the bridge collapse?
Twitter update:
Alexis trying to get ahold of her cousin
Brian Moen finding out about it
Erica trying to blog about it
Rex asking for eyewitnesses and photos
Chuck uploading to YouTube
What's there to throw around, Aaron? The bridge collapsed. There was road construction on it, along with the usual heavy traffic.
I'm talking about people coming up with really loose conclusions as to why it happened.
Amber: my parents told me they feared it was a terrorist attack.
I know... I know... but maybe that's what Aaron meant by "throwing theories."
A 2001 analysis by the U found that the structure should not have fatigue cracking in the "foreseeable future" accd to KSTP.
KSTP has live video of people on stretchers being taken into HCMC.
MnDOT is briefing in an hour.
In light of last week's helicopter collision in Phoenix, I hope the news choppers are being cautious.
I was safely ensconced at home, but I'm praying for everyone that was on that bridge. I can't imagine how horrifying that was.
FBI is on the scene.
Yepnope is okay, got a text from her.
Good.
Oh, good to hear about Yepnope.
I think I'm going to barf. Luckily everyone I know who would use that bridge is home and safe. Thoughts and prayers to those who were there, and their friends and families.
One confirmed fatality so far....
Aw, gotcha, Aaron and Ranty...
I'm with you there, Josie.
Political blogger Noah Kunin lives under that bridge.
And now they're reporting a storm is moments away. Hopefully the interference is minimal.
If anyone hears of anything us regular folks can do to help, keep us posted.
Yes please. I can see the helicopters from my house but feel totally helpless.If there's anything an average joe can do, pass it along.
KSTP says there was no structural issues with the brudge.
I seriously think I might pass out. One of my biggest fears in life has been one of crossing bridges over water, particularly the Mississippi and after 26 years I'd pretty much rationalized it never happening. My family is safe. I'm just waiting to hear from one friend. I am at work alone because my mom is at a meeting and I just want to go home and cry in my own house with my own family.
Anyway, I hope everyone's friends and family are safe.
Knitthink okay.
Two dolla okay
Just got a chat from Christina. She's okay and can see it from the roof of onw of her buildings
Party of Pawlenty okay
Blabked out's report.
USI is providing free wireless in the area for those of you near by.
Live eyewitness account on WCCO said she saw multiple fatalities.
Witness on 'CCO tv said she saw several fatalities.
First pictures on flickr
jinx max buy me a coke
Kool Aid report okay
Kay Redding okay
EckerNet okay
Anti-Strib okay
Residual Forces okay
Kwatt, I heard another account from an industry engineer about the bridge NOT being okay....
I used to live on 10th Avenue kitty corner from Amoco, and we always called the bridge the 10th AVE bridge... why do they keep calling it the 10th ST bridge? KSTP and WCCO alike.
Show up an a MnSpeak get together and I'll buy you a Coke, Kevin.
Metroblogging is blogging about it.
MnCampiagn Report okay
What a terrible thing to happen. Those poor people.
4 will have an engineer on live soon says Shelby. Just saw a big lightning strike in that area.
Strib is looking for eyewitnesses
Everybody in my family lives within 12 blocks of the bridge. I expect they are okay, but have not heard from them yet.
Helicopters seem gone, p-douglas said the lightning is why.
Hope so max.
My house is straight south of the bridge almost and facing north, there is some big cloud to ground lightning out the window.
Powerline okay
Captain's Quarters okay
Sassy okay
To help: A call for blood.
Call the Red Cross to give blood - 1 800 GIVE LIFE. They don't have anything set up tonight as of yet, but they're probably going to go through a lot of it in the rescue efforts, so you can make an appointment to go in and help them replenish. I'll be there at the Minneapolis Center tomorrow at 4.
Kevin, do you get two Cokes now?
Great idea. I'll plan on donating blood as well.
Nuh uh. Kevin owes me one now.
And I owe Kevin one, I guess. It's a confusing chain of Cokes.
Technically, I think the first one to call jinx gets the Coke, so max owes me one, and I iowe josie and amber one. Dammit I can't give blood!
This is nuts. I used to work two blocks from the bridge. Wondering if people I used to work with are ok.
Stay off your phones unless absolutely necessary.
Another option for blood donors: Memorial Blood Centers.
Does anyone know if they are taking donations tonight? I would be willing to go give right now if they needed me to.
I called the Memorial Blood Center and it seems as though they are closed.
Twins game still going on primarily so people aren't out travelling. Tomorrow's game postponed.
I decided to take E. Hennepin home at 6PM rather than University/35W. Wow. Freakin' out a little.
Steve McPherson from Reveille (and Bottle Gang and Signal Eats Noise) just chatted with me. He occasionally comments here as McP.
Tomorrow's game postponed?
Red Cross doesn't have anything set up tonight for blood donations. Your best bet is to make an appointment.
Takes one badly-rusted-through connection on this type of bridge, or one shifting column foundation, or vandals with 2 wrenches and a couple hours. So, until the forensic engineers get it all pulled and inspected and x-rayed, consider everything you hear to be a guess.
I was at Pizza Luce. There were several guys who biked over after they heard all the sirens. They had some amazing photos.
Amazing as in terribly tragic yet a good exercise in citizen journalism.
Heads will roll for this. I'm guessing some civil and structural engineers and possibly reps from the contractors.
This will throw a lot of wrenches into the Minneapolis transportation system for quite some time.
So, until the forensic engineers get it all pulled and inspected and x-rayed, consider everything you hear to be a guess.
Thanks for stressing this again.
A tragedy like this reminds me of the importance to live each day to its fullest and to enjoy life. Don't sweat the small stuff...
I was talking to a friend on her way home from work when we were cut off and when I found out about the bridge collapsing I tried to call her back, but I can't get through. The bridge is on her way home. I don't have a land line so trying to call anyone is hell. No one has heard from her and we can't get through to HCMC.
Does anyone know of any other way to find out more about who was on the bridge?
Please say your prayers...
22 non-criticals at HCMC
6 critical
1 fatality
House of Procrastination okay
Lloyletta okay
Centrisity okay
HCMC reporting one death, more than 25 injuries, all from the south side. Mostly blunt trauma injuries.
the red cross is setting up a website cat, but i dont' think it's live yet
Jinx.
Anybody heard from Maz?
It's not, I tried, but thanks. I don't live far from HCMC so I tried to get info, but since I'm not family they won't tell me anything and her family lives outstate.
It's chaotic at best and trying to get any information is so frustrating.
Just by basic probability, your friend is safe, stuck somewhere in the traffic snarl, and hoping no one is getting worried about her. Best bet is, have a drink, sit down, and don't start assumptions at the worst place.
we're even max.
Intersting that they said south side, I heard a reporter on 4 or 5 say they were on the north side and that everyone there was able to get to safety.
sorry to hear that, Cat. Hope she's OK.
can't stop thinking about all those families driving to the Twins game... :(
Fiveoclockbot okay
Coldhearted Truth okay
Freedom Dogs okay
MnBlue okay
6:05?
I walked in my door after a run, looked at the clock on my stove and said to myself, "6:05 I'm still alive and it ain't no jive" mimicking an old high school teacher of mine.
all ok here... i left my job at the U at 4:45 thankfully...
having a hard time wrapping my head around these images/videos... doesn't even look like our city
I wouldn't freak out except that I'm the back up for her day care and they called me because she hadn't shown up to pick her child up. That's when the panic set in.
hope all is well, everyone.
Honey Bunny okay
Boot On okay
Power Liberal okay
Mrs. Champs is also OK, but was fashionably late (about five minutes) to the party.
Cat - they are interviewing a mother on KSTP right now
It sounds as though the emergency response to this was exemplary. HCMC actually runs drills a few times per year to prepare for disasters.
Melissa Hughes is her name.
Cat - prayers with you. I hope your friend is okay.
I was on St. Anthony Main with coworkers when it happened. I had to walk across the Stone Arch Bridge to get home and it was flooded with onlookers. Sirens going off constantly. I thought I saw Wayne down there!! Wayne were you there?
Don't go down there! Friends from all over the country calling me... took me an hour to get home.
Me, too, Cat. Please keep us posted, okay?
Although it's been on the TV for awhile... if you have a legitimate concern:
HCMC Patient Information: (612) 873-3400
KSTP says stay away from teh 10th avenue bridge.
MyProntoPup okay
The Impudent Finger okay
Such a tragedy. I feel like MNspeak is one big family tonight.
I was driving across the Franklin Ave bridge to SP a week ago tonight and was on the bridge stuck @ a red light...as the cars backed up behind me I started to get nervous wondering what would happen if the weight of the idling cars became too much for the bridge. Freaky.
GTP in a few...
that interview with the doctor was ridiculous. I know they need to ask questions and try to get answers but, "What is a life-threatening injury?" Seriously? Why would you ask that?
Bob checking in. Me and Mrs. Lungs are fine, although both shocked and heartbroken. As a former Level I Trauma Center employee, I have a pretty good idea what is happening at HCMC and North Memorial right now. Sounds like all the "Orange Alert" drills are paying off. Our prayers and thoughts are with those who are injuried, lost or missing.
You too, Jason, and all the other newsies who will work long into the night this evening to try to keep us informed.
this makes me so sad and a bit sick to my stomach. i hope that none of the (albeit few) people i've met here in the cities were on the bridge. and i sincerely hope that none of those people (and all of you here) have loved ones that are hurt...or worse.
My sister in law was on her way to the airport from Forest Lake around 6PM.
No one has heard from her, no cell service.
Mom in law called us freaking out crying.
This sucks. I was gonna go to Viva Voce tonight but no way do any more people need to be crowding around downtown tonight. There's a Twins game and a thunderstorm on the way, too.
Everyone please, stay away from the area tonight. Traffic will be jacked. Don't contribute to it. Sorry, Viva Voce.
Did I just hear that the Hennepin and 3rd Ave bridges are closed right now?
Ditto Jason. How you people keep your heads in the face of something so awesome in scale and humanity I'll never know.
Snarkmarket okay
Jvstin okay
Buddhapatriot okay
Tale of Two Cities okay
A Place Called Blog okay
Jason is interviewing one of the rescuers of the children on the bus. Astounding tale.
This is cripplingly frightening. I hope everyone is OK.
This link is the calendar of blood drives that The Memorial Blood Center has scheduled. They do take walk ups at these - no need for an appointment.
http://www.memorialbloodcenters.org/MBC/uploads/drivecal_mpls.html
BX: Cell service is jammed. be patient. Odds are, everything is fine. I will pray jsut in case.
Shelby, I know you don't read this, but your interview with the bridge guy? EXCELLENT. Thank you. You sir are a consummate journalist.
Jason, you're amazing. Your reports are excellent as well.
Thanks again.
Planes are starting to fly over again so they must have re-opened the airspace in the area, which may indicated that helicopther traffic has lessened from the scene.
I'm in a Louisville hotel on my way back to Minnesota watching all of this. It is so surreal seeing our hometown like this. WCCO.com looks like they have a link up for people to give names of those they haven't heard from; that may help. I live in Charleston, SC for school, and after seeing the firefighters' tragedy earlier this summer, I know Minnesotans will rally together to help any way we can.
First rate work from Jason.
Heard from all family members but one. So far everyone is okay.
good max
jesus look at the water rescue video on 4
oh my god
That's a job I wouldn't want. Wow.
There Are No Losers Here okay
Truth v the Machine okay
Spitball okay
Katie's Beer okay
jesus look at the water rescue video on 4
oh my god
Link? I am not finding a water rescue video on CCO.
Crazy But Able okay.
SCSU Scholars okay
Police have ruled out terrorism.
I am a scuba diver and have thought about joining a rescue team, however, I just don't know if I could do it either...
Metrodome Holiday Inn is where families of victims should go for info. They are triaging the info from there. From Ch. 4
People need to stop assuming that an unreachable friend is anything other than "phone service and traffic sucks bad right now."
Because phone service and traffic suck right now. If you're wondering where someone is, and they're late, figure they're stuck in the locked-up traffic hoping no one's worried about them, and wishing someone knew to go let their pet out or pick up their kid at daycare.
I went through this a few years ago when some stuff happened while me and a bunch of friends were in a different city for a bit, and some stuff fell down, and no one could find each other for over a day, and with each passing hour people were becoming convinced Otherguy was dead, and . . .
I think there was as much emotional damage due to overwrought pessimism as anything else.
Just found this PDF from oim.dot about I35W, also known as Bridge 9340:
Bridge 9340 was deleted from the project and bridges 27887 and 27888 will no longer be repaired but will be painted instead. These bridges will be repaired in SFY 2007, which still has $5.4M available in the Bridge Improvement Program for additional bridge work.
Not able to parse it, but for people looking for documentation about the bridge, it's what I found.
Sounds like there might be as many as six dead.
Red Cross asking for donations at a time like this? Come on.
All but one construction worke r accounted for. GTP says bridge was inspected in 04 and 05 with no structural damage found.
Glad to read the all clear updates on locals.
Before images are lacking around the net, and could be helpful with a markup. Has anyone posted one?
MPR's Website (Disclosure: MPR is my employer) is also looking for eyewitnesses and photos.
we rip on local tv news coverage a lot on this site, but it's at times like this that we realize the immediate impact of TV coverage and that there are still many excellent journalists (ie DeRusha) working in the medium.
Fantail media okay
Digital Retrograde okay
Buzz.Mn on the bridge collapse
It seems to me that there will be two stories that will come to the forefront of this: First, how did it happen; second, what did we do right.
Having lived through two disasters, I think the second question is one really worth addressing. The responses here really seem to be first-rate.
Bobbyb, you need to SHUT. THE FUCK. UP.
Everyone deals with fear differently. You being PREACHY RIGHT NOW DOES NOT HELP!!!!
/cries
Julia, Strib has a photo gallery and had construction photo from 1967.
Yeah, Bobby, shut it. I knew in my gut that neither of my parents were near it, but I've never been so happy to hear their voices.
People smarter than I--would the road deck of this bridge have re-bar (uninterrupted) running the length of the bridge?
Amazing as it sounds, I'm not an engineer.
KARE11 reports that federal officials are on the way.
I am not a civil engineer. However, I'd bet dollars to donuts that the deck of the bridge was rebar-reinforced concrete throughout it's length. However, I'd doubt that you'd have continuous pieces of rebar from one end to the other. It just wouldn't be practical to have long pieces like that. You'd have several pieces of rebar spanning the bridge, joined to each other at their ends.
Judging by this picture, joyride, it would seem no.
I think bobby is just trying to remind people that the odds are overwhelmingy in favor of everyone's loved one being okay. No need to get snippy.
Question I can't find an answer to - why was the bridge designed the way it was, with the single span across the entire river?
Yup there's tons o' rebar in there.
Please, people, show some simple love and keep the armchair psychology to yourselves. PLEASE.
"Overwrought pessimissm." Pffffffsht. Dumb asshole.
Julia, there's at least one very good before shot on flickr, you could contact the owner about using it.
That Strib photo gallery is something else.
Link for Strib gallery
Collecting flickr photos:
Adam Wolf
Steve Schmeiser
joyride, lots of rebar, but the longest you can buy is 60', so not uninterrupted. It's "tied" together by wrapping overlapping ends with fairly strong wire, but that's just to hold it in place as you pour the concrete around it.
Just received an automated call from work asking us to press 1 if we are still alive.
How very sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.
Thanks for the info and the image leads. (special thanks PwrGeek, mcgsa, s4xton, jtd) I'm watching this space for all clear updates on locals...
a terrible tragedy, but there were a lot of miracles in minneapolis today
Fantastic links, mcgsa.
I was biking home, and heard lots of sirens. I wondered what it was about. Saw a couple of police cars headed towards downtown on West River Road. Wondered what was going on. Got home and found out. Been on the phone with family and friends ever since. Glad everyone is okay!!!
Did anyone else find tghemselves unable to eat supper tonight?
KARE 11 reports that only 28 people have been taken to local hospitals. I hope that this means that traffic is just very slow.
Don Shelby seems to have become an expert on truss bridge superstructures in a matter of hours.
Holy shit! Collapse on wikipedia already!!!
Jason DeRusha, I am impressed. Our nation's infrastructure sucks. This is terrible.
A few more from flickr:
Tubes.'s set
Construction in action from a few days ago by Thomas Boblett
A before shot from .jasper
Sorry! Someone already posted bridge wiki.
I'm still in shock!
So true, Bandini. It's easy to forget how many lives were saved tonight. I spent a few frantic minutes trying to reach my daughter, who was at her boyfriend's house a few blocks from the scene. She was fine, but it made me flash back to a year ago when she was on board a Continental flight from Houston to Mpls. and the plane blew two tires on takeoff. We watched the hour-and-a-half ordeal live on CNN as the plane circled, burning its fuel load. I still have a bit of PTSD from that episode, and I really panicked when I couldn't get her on the phone this evening. My heart goes out to those still waiting to hear about their loved ones.
Midtopia okay
Diablo Cody okay (Johnny had driven across the bridge an hour earlier)
Dry White Toast okay (photos)
Photos from Sean Tubridy
Daily Kos on bridge collapse
mcgsa,
I have a few pictures sent to me by a friend posted on my site, including one that includes Noah Kunin's apartment. He lives literally feet from the bridge. They're on FlickR here.
I wonder if MnDOT traffic cameras caught the collapse on video?
Shelby said it will take two years to repair. No idea what his source is. This being an interstate, it's probably under the feds authority.
The Kos thread is predictably disgusting.
Considering we have the chair of the transportation committee from Minnesota-Duluth, it'll probably get rebuilt sooner than that.
I checked the WCCO traffic cams (MnDot System) right after it happened and all those within a mile are out. I checked again a bit ago and they still are.
There was a brief power outage, I figure this knocked them off line. The power seems to have gone out at the precise moment the bridge fell so I am not certain they would have caught anything.
More photos:
Medicine Lake Fire and Rescue carry rescue craft
Photos from Mordac
Photos from Bree-r
This Old Minnesota House okay
Ginger Sinatra okay (via chat)
One(me) would think that the video has to be recorded somewhere, though.
Wow. Word has already spread to China. I just got an email from a coworker asking if everyone was okay.
Missed it by ten minutes.
It sounds odd, but I almost feel guilty for making it out ok.
Party of Pawlenty has rough quotes from the Pawlenty Press conference
FWIW Minneapolis City media advisory says:
"Families concerned about relatives should call the Red Cross at (612) 871-7676. Callers can leave a message and someone will get back to them soon."
More bus service from North Metro
"Right now, the focus is on saving lives"
Timeline of bridge collapse
Background on the bridge
WCCO report 140,000 used bridge every day.
MnHeadhunter okay
"I wonder if MnDOT traffic cameras caught the collapse on video?"
They should have got it.
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/tmc/trafficinfo/metrocams/cameras/c628.html
I was at the Twins game tonight and saw the scene from the Stone Arch Bridge.
Right now, the Washington Ave., 10th St., Hennepin Ave. bridges are all closed. 94 is open and traffic is actually moving pretty well. University Ave around dinkytown is open, but not moving very fast.
Glad all you mnspeakers are alright.
People wanting to donate money to the Red Cross can call at 612-460-4700 or do it through their Web page.
Cheek okay.
StarTribune has linked to a 2001 "Fatigue Evaluation of the Deck Truss" of the bridge sponsored by the MN DOT (but performed by U of M Dept of Civil Engineering). The abstract notes "poor fatigue details on the main truss and floor truss system."
Axis Communications installed the servers that digitize the analog camera feeds for mndot's traffic cameras.
Noah Kunin's Photos. You can see shots under the bridge, shots before emergency personnel showed up and you get a good look at how how the structure bent in places. He is evacuated and I am posting on his behalf when he gives me updates.
well guess what? the bridge didn't transform into a flying Mr. Incredible. people died, many are badly hurt, the last thing the media wants to share is the actual event to your voyeuristic needs.
Fatalities now at 7.
What a sad night. August 1, 2007....worst thing I've ever seen happen in the 30 years of my life lived in Minnesota. Pray or hope for the victims.
sorry people. I was replying before I hit my refresh button.
tuff night
Rocks Off okay
Pete Ryan okay
Kowabunga okay
Mn Democrats Exposed okay, and already complaining about how liberals have responded to tragedy
Max, I'm not you, of course, but maybe hold off til tomorrow . . .
MnDot cameras. Click on dots to see footage. No ffotage for three or four 35W cameras north of University.
"the last thing the media wants to share is the actual event to your voyeuristic needs."
Sorry to burst your bubble Kal, but do I remember seeing "the media" showing a couple planes flying into some buildings a few years ago. It doesn't mean it diminishes the severity of the situation.
Something about federal emergency relief for this sort of thing, but I'm not sure that it applies.
I'm sorry, Bobby, but if local blogs are going to politicize this tragedy at this moment, I'm going to report it. That goes for Liberal blogs as well.
Noah Kunin's photos are amazing and tragic.
Gov. Polenta's policies come home to roost.
This is on HIM.
it's the headlining article on HuffPost, if anyone is an avid reader
The reason I'm reporting it is because I think it's disgusting. Let's hold off, Raindog, until we know the facts.
Wow, even the headline news on Al Jazeera
sorry for the broken link; Al Jazeera
I suspect the Mn Democrats Exposed will be an aberration, however,
Befuddled okay
Velcrometer okay
Agreed with iwilldare.com on being thankful for twitter. I was quite glad and relieved to see updates from fellow MN twitterers!
I was shocked when I heard about this on the Current while painting my garage tonight. It's sad to see folks already politicizing it. Wait until the facts are in; this isn't s time for speculation.
This bridge tragedy reminds me of the concerns surrounding the collapse of I-580 in the Bay Area earlier this year and predictions that it would years to replace. The contracter brought in to rebuild it completed the project in 26 days!
A-MAZE-ING
His reputation on the line, contractor finishes repair early, and I-580 opens
Of course, the cause of I-580 was fairly certain (fuel truck crashes and explodes) and there will be much time needed to determine the cause of today's 35W bridge collapse but it might be possible for that road to reopen sooner than some might otherwise believe.
I'm proud of the way people in the area responded to the emergency. People were being pulled out of the water minutes before the First Responders arrived. Wow!
YOU'RE CRAP GOVERNOR!!!! YOU'RE SO FUCKEN CRAP!!!! YOU ALLOWED THIS DISASTER TO HAPPENED BY NOT FUNDING OUR PUBLIC ROADS AND BLEEDING MNDOT TO DEATH IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS!!!! FUCK YOU!!!! AND FUCK YOU MAYOR RYBEK FOR DRIVING MINNEAPOLIS INTO THE GROUND BY NOT FUNDING POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN CASE OF A TOTAL EMERGENCY LIKE THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE ON INTERSTATE 35W!!!! ALSO, FUCK YOU ALL IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR ALLOWING THIS DISASTER TO HAPPENED SINCE YOUR NIMRODS IN BOTH THE DFL AND THE STATE-GOP WERE MORE CONCERN ABOUT SPORTS STADIUMS, TILT-A-WHIRLS, TEENS GETTING TATTOS, GAYS GETTING MARRIED, AND CHILDREN GETTING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, THAN BRIDGES FALLING!!!! YOU ASSHOLES HAVE BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS FOR THIS!!!!
GO TO HELL! AND TAKE CHRIS COLEMAN WITH YOU WHILE YOUR AT IT!!!
You as well, Big G. Until we know specifically what happened, it's beyond the pale to throw around accusations.
Metro Transit plans added bus service from north metro to help ease congestion.
Just days ago, the feds awarded grants for bridge construction innovation.
KSTP says five bodies are pulled from the north end and two others are not yet recovered - and htat it is considered a recovery operation.
FWIW, being a political person, when I first heard about this on FOX News one of my first thoughts was to wonder if anyone would have the balls to tie this to gas taxes, transportation funding, war funding, etc. Turns out the answer is yes. Judge that as you will.
Rod Simon on KSTP did a stellar job tonight going from the Target Center over to the scene for some true impromptu reporting.
Just a Cool Cat okay
Other US bridge collapses of note:
Falls View Bridge...Niagra, NY, 1938...no injuries/fatalities
Tacoma Narrows...Tacoma, WA, 1940...no injuries / fatalities
Silver Bridge...Point Pleasant, WV, 1967...46 fatalities, 9 seriously injured
Schoharie Creek Bridge...Mohawk Valley, NY, 1987...10 fatalites
Bay Bridge (earthquake)..SF, CA, 1989...1 Fatality, numerous injuries
I40 Bridge...Webbers Falls, OK, 2002...3 fatalities
Walnut Street Bridge....Harrisburg, PA, 1996...no injuries/fatalities
Seems none of these, with the exception of the bay bridge, carried the volume of cars or had the length of span that the I35W bridge did, and many of them gave advance warning. What a terrible, terrible tragedy.
the Silver Bridge collapse has many eerie similarities to what we currently know about the I35W Minneapolis collapse...but was considerably more deadly.
Which one was the one from the mothman movie?
(chills)
The Good Fight okay.
I'm amazed at how an event like this crystallizes your focus. Yes, Olbermann is on in the background, but I find myself refreshing mnspeak and gmail first off, then checking the cell, and jumping from twitter, cnn, kare/localtvwhatev, strib, metroblogging, to feel connected.
Max, here's to you.
There's some blood on Governor Pawlenty's and legislators' hands who haven't provided necessary funding for fixing bridges and roads, or Veterans Homes . . .
Who points fingers at a time like this???
Sigh. Again, let's wait and see, dogsbreath. Not only is speculating right now just in poor taste, it is also bad politics.
Who points fingers at a time like this???
assholes FTW.
TC Sidewalks okay. Also, a rather nice post on the bridge collapse.
I'll also point fingers right at Governor Pawlenty. Investing in our infrastructure that we all rely upon (taxes) is how Minnesotans have come together in the past to build great things. He's put himself before the common good. And we're crumbling.
Some of those Noah Kunin photos might be helppful to the investigators, particularly the one showing the twisting in the remaining protions of the bridge.
I'll also point fingers...
Yes. Well, as courageous as that is, allow me to offer an alternate location for those digits.
(biting his tongue)
how about NOT politicizing this tragedy and pointing fingers, maybe even for one night?
It's so disrespectful and frankly, it's moronic.
I work at MSP airport, and I got a call from my boyfriend around 6:50. He was going to a party in Dinkytown and was safe there with some of our friends. It was on CNN (only station ever on at the airport!) almost right away. It was surreal to watch entire flights gather around the TV by the gates. Everyone I know seems to be okay.
The LRT was very busy tonight heading into downtown.
Go Big G. You rule. DESPITE THE ALL CAPS. YOU HAVE HIT. THE NAIL. ON THE HEAD.
GO BROTHER!
Home OK, and all of my inner circle folks who use that bridge regularly are accounted for. Thanks for the emails and the concern. I really hope everyone's loved ones are OK. I am terrified to check my email tomorrow.
I love this goddamn city. Now I sort of understand how much.
grote, those are some crazy bridge collapses, but don't forget about the ones that collapsed and were washed away last year this week in central new york. i grew up there and seeing the photos even a year later make me tear up. roads and bridges i used to travel when i was a kid no longer exist.
But Cruz's problems weren't over. He couldn't get out because he can't move from his waist down. He was paralyzed by a shooting years ago. He heard a woman screaming for help and he figured she was hanging from the bridge. "She was yelling, 'Help me, help me.' I couldn't do anything." Then he didn't hear her anymore.
It must help you to have someone to blame. We all deal with tragedies in our own way.
feel free to link them...it's interesting / instructive to see how / why they collapsed.
Yeah, this is among the most significant bridge collapses in history. Though it had to be Minnesotan, didn't it? Not the biggest, not the most fatal, etc. Still, I'm wondering how it rates compared to other historic Minneapolis/MN disasters. I was thinking that it'll go down in history next to the flour mill explosions in the early 20th century and the massive forest fire or two of the 19th. But I'm probably being overdramatic.
I dunno, I've walked under that bridge several times along the river road on the west bank, and I did get the sensation that it was a bit iffy structurally speaking. Sure, there was a lot of metal and it was formed into a decent, if ugly, arch, but it was perched on what seemed like fairly small pylons. Well, it was just a passing sense back then, and I'm no engineer.
But, you can bet that the next bridge will be over-engineered about 4x, and funded by that oft-delayed gas tax increase...
Yo Small P! Are... You. Flipping; Serious?
I love this goddamn city. Now I sort of understand how much.
You and me both.
My friend was about 4 minutes ahead of this disaster, and I can say politicizing this less than 12 hours after it happened is SHITTY. Be glad that you still have your loved ones still around you and aren't one of the families dealing with the unspeakable heartbreak of losing a parent, sister, brother, mother, etc, right now.
"how about NOT politicizing this tragedy and pointing fingers, maybe even for one night?"
It's Max's blog, I guess. He told 'em it was okay.
Cat, any word from your friend?
Everyone back home is in my thoughts and prayers tonight.
Give blood. Blood donations are now being accepted. Please call the Memorial Blood Centers of Minnesota in advance to schedule a time for your blood donation at their four metro area centers. The Blood Center's central scheduling number is 612-871-3300 ext. 4421 or visit http://www.redcross.org/donate/give
American Red Cross Blood Services, to donate blood -call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org.
Josie- our mutual friend is good? I figured that wasn't her route or time, even if it is the general location.
This is just, awful.
Randy Kaye is on CNN talking about how she has a borther in law no one has heard of and providing her local insight to the national audience. It seems now, at about midnight, that news coverage has gone from breaking news reporting to recaps, interviewing witnesses and drivers, etc. That is usually when I tune out in instances like this.
Great job by the local media.
Peace Like a River okay
Minneapolitics okay, and blaming conservatives. Seriously, have people no tact?
Ellison on the bridge collapse (YouTube clip)
9 confirmed dead and 20 missing per the Strib. It's going to be a very ugly sunrise tomorrow.
It's Max's blog, I guess. He told 'em it was okay.
No I didn't, Bobby. I said exactly the opposite.
"The bridge started to buckle," Toivenen said. "It went up and came down. I thought I was going to die."
Oh. My. God. I can't even fucking imagine the absolute fear...
grote, i wrote a big blog entry on it last year, but the photos that i had linked to are all broken now. i wish i could get the photo of the 18-wheeler completely swallowed by a 200 foot section of I-88 by the Susquehanna river near where i grew up.
oh wait: here's a good one. it almost doesn't seem real, but i've traveled that part of the interstate many, many times and that's REAL. here's another view. i'm not sure if it's been repaired or if people are still using alternate routes, but that's some crazy damage right there. and that was just the beginning of a massive disaster in central NY that happened last year.
CNN is reporting that their experts believe the collapse was caused by water erosion and that there is speculation that this info is in the recent inspection reports.
I forget which station I was watching/listening to early in the evening, as I was flipping between several, but they were interviewing a doctor who declared that several of the fatalities his hospital received were victims of drowning. My instinct was to be slightly dubious with all of the wild speculation and confusion flying around at that hour. Either way, as if the collapse wouldn't be a random and tragic enough way to go, the thought of people surviving the fall only to die trapped underwater is almost too much to bear.
Ravnscroft okay
Doodledee okay
Beaccablog okay
There Are Some Who Call Me ... Tim okay
Rambling Rhodes okay
Because I said so okay
Psychmeistr okay
Hammerswing okay
Martin Andrade okay
Mercury Rising okay
Blog of the Moderate Left okay
MnPublius okay
Centricity okay
People wanting to donate money to the Red Cross can call at 612-460-4700 or do it through their Web page
I'm sure this is especially critical now, since the TC Red Cross announced it was already strapped for cash a few weeks ago following several major apartment fires.
Headed to bed.
Agreed with iwilldare.com on being thankful for twitter. I was quite glad and relieved to see updates from fellow MN twitterers!
That's how I heard about it in the first place. That was a strange sensation, and also somewhat comforting to have that info right away.
Max, you're doing an awesome job.
fuuuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
It's 2:15 AM and I'd like to point out that KSTP channel 5 is committed to covering this ALL NIGHT LONG. That's right Lionel Richie style.
Brucato didn't sign off until 2AM.....live. Vineeta and whats-his-buckets just took over. This is nuts. Maybe overkill, but HATS THE HELL OFF to Channel 5. Dayum.
I just got back from the scene and read this thread. Amazing. Fascinating. You guys are awesome. Thanks for the kind words about our coverage. I imagine everyone in town did a great job. I ran into a few of my competitors. Although there's not much competing on a night like this. The photographer I was working with was sharing his bottled water with others-- to make sure they were in good shape. It was really hot out there.
It was not fun, but it's what we're here for. I'm going home now.
Hey DeRusha, man, pour a cognac, tuck yourself in with a binky and crash. Seriously. You guys rocked serious ass tonight. I saw you working hard for your money.
Keep it up, old man.
People did survive the fall ... mostly on the south side, though. Some of the earliest live coverage I saw when stations cut in a couple of minutes after 6:05 showed people walking around on some of the bridge sections that had fallen into the water. No uniforms or other indication of First Responders at that time. If you were belted into your car, your chances of surviving were better than the workers on the deck getting ready to start their night of roadway repairs. I can't imagine the horror, however, that must've gone those peoples' minds once they realized what was happening.
Once the cause of the tragedy is determined, it might only take a couple of months to build a new bridge. The company that rebuilt I-580 in the Bay Area had that bridge repaired and opened in 26 days.
Erosion? I'd believe it. Not that it'd necessarily be the exclusive cause of this, but it'd help explain this image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mntiens/979108079/
But when you've got hundreds of tons falling around, stuff is probably going to shift...
Overall, I thought the coverage I saw was fairly good. I was a little put off by Passolt on KMSP, since he seemed to be doing his best William Shatner exclaiming there had been equipment hanging over the side during recent construction.
The Mark LaCroix guy who was doing i-Report for CNN and ended up talking to BBC World Service overnight also did a fine job, IMHO. Anyway, overall, way to stick to facts, hold back the tide of speculation to a minimum, and be practical about how this is going to affect our daily lives going forward.
Once the cause of the tragedy is determined, it might only take a couple of months to build a new bridge. The company that rebuilt I-580 in the Bay Area had that bridge repaired and opened in 26 days.
not quite. that was just a section of an overpass ramp, and it was all on land, no less. a river crossing, especially one that has to pass over so many other things (railroad tracks, streets, bike trails, etc) takes a lot more engineering design work. Especially since they'll probably have to pour new footings in the river too. The design alone will probably take a good 4-6 months and the construction might be over a year. The I-580 ramp was basically just a redesign of a pretty standard highway section.
I'm nowhere near as optimistic as you are about having a bridge back up there soon.
We've put up a wiki page to share links here:
http://pages.e-democracy.org/35W
Steven Clift
E-Democracy.Org
Yepnope - she is fine, she was the first person I called last night. Sorry I didn't see this until this morning.
Jason and other news folks - you all kicked ass last night, calm and professional and thorough coverage. You deserve a fancy latte this morning, at the least.
PiPress: Recovery operations begin
PiPress: Finding family
PiPress: Prayer services scheduled
WCCO: Public statements in response to collapse
City Pages: Voices from witnesses, survivors
KARE11: Family members watch, wait
KARE11: Survivors share stories
How can you blame the governor or the legislators? They're not out there inspecting the bridge? They're the ones that need to know if the bridge needs to be replaced. If they don't know about it, nothing will ever be done. Maybe the state shouldn't be throwing all the money to light rail and commuter rails.
It had to be terrifying for everyone involved, but I can't imagine the horror of having a child in the vehicle with you. Thank God that this family appears to be OK.
Lest we forget, thank YOU, max, for staying at your post long into the night, and continuing to post links this morning.
This wasn't just the night for local television to do its job, the online community stepped up, too. Some wondered on the MPR thread if "citzen journalism" had value. This thread -- and others linked to it -- may ansswer some of those questions.
Jason, Max, and even mcgsa all did a fabulous job keeping us informed about the events of last evening. There are no words to thank you all enough! MNSpeak was at its finest last night.
Thanks, Max! Have a great big coffee this morning!!!
To other MNSpeakers, I'm so glad you are all OK!
We've added a collection of some of the better YouTube videos on the collapse (please add more):
http://pages.e-democracy.org/35W_video
Steven Clift
Thanks, everybody; and particular thanks to those of you who updated this thread with vital information as it happened.
I'm not going to post any more listings of bloggers who are okay, although if something notable comes up in a blog, I will certainly link to that.
Yes, thanks Max and Jason and to everyone else who put in the long hours to provide such amazing information, photos and more. There's not much more that can be said that hasn't been said already. Glad that you all are okay.
"MPR: Emergency plans pay off"
I'll post the same thing I did over at fimoculous: our response was great. Rescue divers were in the water immediately after this happened. Tons of emergency services from all over, all working together under our unified communications system. There were places set up for people to grieve -- with priests and such -- very quickly after people started coming in to HCMC.
Our preparation certainly did pay off -- this is awful, but it very well could have been a lot worse had our responders not been trained as well.
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