Replies

Thank you to a special freepmailer for pointing to this article:

http://img.iht.com/images/2007/08/02/02bridge550.jpg

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/02/america/02cndbridge.php

“Bridge collapse in Minneapolis kills at least 6”

By Libby Sander and Susan Saulny
Published: August 1, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the eight lanes of I-35W crossing the river were supposed to be restricted to a much reduced flow beginning on Tuesday night for the northbound lanes and at 8 p.m. Wednesday for the southbound lanes, about two hours after the collapse. The reason stated on the agency’s Web site was “overlay work,” which refers to roadway resurfacing.

A 2001 evaluation of the bridge, prepared for the state transportation department by the University of Minnesota Civil Engineering Department, reported that there were preliminary signs of fatigue on the steel truss section under the roadway, but no cracking. It said there was no need for the transportation department to replace the bridge because of fatigue cracking.”