mississippi_river bridge mississippi_river bridge officially known bridge lane steel arch bridge carried interstate saint anthony falls mississippi_river minneapolis minnesota united_states evening rush hour august suddenly collapsed killing people injuring bridge minnesota busiest carrying vehicles daily cited design flaw likely cause collapse noting thin plate ripped line asserted additional weight bridge time collapse contributed catastrophic failure immediately collapse help came mutual aid seven county minneapolis saint paul metropolitan area emergency response personnel charities volunteers days collapse dot planned replacement bridge saint construction completed rapidly opened september location site history located minneapolis minnesota largest city bridge connected minneapolis neighborhoods south northeast north northwest campus bridge southeastern boundary mississippi mile downtown downstream 10th avenue bridge known cedar avenue bridge immediately upstream lock dam saint anthony falls minneapolis began bridge upstream historic stone arch bridge built great northern railway bicycle pedestrian traffic north foundation pier bridge near hydroelectric plant razed south area coal gas processing plant facility storing processing petroleum products uses effectively created toxic waste site bridge leading lawsuit removal contaminated soil relationship prior uses bridge failure claimed design construction bridge officially designated bridge designed transportation officials standard specifications construction contracts worth total million time went built steel deck construction bridge began structure completed opened traffic era large scale projects related building twin cities freeway system bridge fell recent river crossing built new site minneapolis building boom 1970s infrastructure management shifted inspection maintenance bridge fourteen spans extended feet long main spans deck construction approach spans steel multi construction exceptions concrete slab construction piers built navigation channel instead center span bridge consisted single foot steel arched foot channel support piers main load bearing concrete center main span located opposite banks river center span connected north south approaches shorter spans formed main feet length connected approach spans foot main ranged depth feet pier concrete supports feet central span feet deep outer ends adjoining spans main deck feet depth integral main transverse deck beams deck rested main deck beams supported longitudinal deck inches depth reinforced concrete pavement deck breadth split transverse expansion joints centers ends main spans roadway deck approximately feet water level black ice prevention system december temperature reached cars coming bridge experienced black ice major pile bridge northbound february december bridge identified single cold weather spot twin cities freeway system thin layer black ice regularly formed temperatures dropped freezing bridge proximity contributed significantly problem site noted frequent collisions january began testing solutions mixture corn processing reduce black ice appeared bridge winter months october state embedded temperature activated bridge deck spray bridge potassium solution area free winter black ice system came operation additional major multi vehicle collisions automated system installed raised possibility potassium contributed collapse bridge structural supports maintenance inspection bridge inspected annually inspection report completed construction work years prior collapse reports cited problems bridge structure federal government gave bridge rating structurally citing significant approximately bridges classification according study civil engineering department cracking previously discovered cross end approach spans main connected cross resistance motion connection point leading plane distortion cross subsequent stress cracking situation addressed prior study drilling cracks prevent propagation adding support cross prevent distortion report noted concern lack main system meant bridge greater risk collapse event single structural failure report concluded bridge problems fatigue cracking future regular inspection structural health monitoring use strain suggested bridge rated structurally possible need replacement according database problems noted subsequent inspection reports inspection carried june found problems cracking fatigue august governor stated bridge scheduled replaced bridge ranked near federal inspection ratings nationwide bridge use rating ranges highest score lowest score zero rated bridge indicating replacement order heavily bridges scored separate measure bridge rated structurally deemed met minimum limits left place december steel reinforcement project planned bridge project canceled january favor periodic safety engineers realized drilling fact weaken bridge internal dot documents bridge officials talked possibility bridge collapsing worried condemn construction taking place weeks prior collapse included joint work replacing lighting concrete guard rails time collapse lanes closed pounds construction supplies equipment bridge collapse wednesday august rush hour bridge traffic moving slowly limited number lanes central span bridge suddenly gave way followed adjoining spans structure deck collapsed river south feet eastward process total vehicles involved sending occupants construction workers far feet river banks northern sections fell rail yard landing stationary freight cars images collapse taken outdoor security camera located parking lot entrance control facility lower saint anthony falls lock dam immediate aftermath collapse captured dot traffic camera facing away bridge collapse federal government immediately launched investigation chairman number investigators arrived scene hours collapse remained minneapolis nearly week serving government designated primary interface federal state local officials briefing press status investigation mayor governor declared state emergency city minneapolis state minnesota august declaration approved extended indefinitely day morning following collapse according white_house press secretary minnesota requested federal disaster declaration president bush pledged support visit site august minnesota elected officials announced united_states secretary transportation lead rebuilding effort gave president detailed requests aid closed door meeting local authorities assisted fbi evidence team united_states_navy divers began arriving august victims vehicles submerged people stranded collapsed sections bridge involved vehicles caught fire including semi trailer truck driver body later pulled fire crews arrived route blocks away school bus carrying children ended resting collapsed structure near burning semi trailer truck children returning field trip water park based phillips community year old staff member bus assisted children kicking rear emergency exit escorting carrying safety youth worker severely injured thirteen people killed centers ends bridge routed victims area hospitals trucks short supply injured blunt trauma injuries near south end taken near north end hospitals children injured thirteen children treated minnesota hours area hospitals treated victims people gathered service healing held august victims missing representatives christian islamic jewish hindu native american hispanic communities police fire emergency governor mayor choir musicians held minute silence national night august august chapter lowered flags united_states state minnesota remembrance victims tragedy gold medal park near theater gathering place wished leave flowers died address city council august remembered victims details lives families deceased survivors directly impacted bridge collapse estimated people united_states disaster insurance individuals president ceo seven foundations form believes cover medical costs victims bridge collapse fund able small grants gesture office week november announced million plan victims state law limits limit awards legislative action needed step administration wanted approval sign support received state minnesota reached million agreement compensate victims bridge collapse nearly decade incident victims bridge collapse believed member isis according court testimony rescue civilians immediately took rescue efforts minneapolis received mutual aid neighboring cities counties metropolitan area arrived minutes responded quickly helping people trapped vehicles took minutes transport patients help morning shifted focus recovery bodies vehicles known trapped debris people divers organized scan locate vehicles submerged water efforts hampered debris challenging currents lowered river level feet ford dam allow easier access vehicles water based earthworks demolition company brought cranes heavy machinery assist clearing debris rescue workers created command center parking lot adjacent printing company west bank secured area managed ground operations charge water operation city provided firefighters law enforcement units rescue victims stranded bridge complete hours state bridge county river banks city didn problem issues knew charge assets said city emergency director city metropolitan area county state employees levels knew roles practiced city received emergency management training year following rapid response time credited minnesota investment mobile radio communications operating minneapolis responding counties city minneapolis collapsed structures rescue dive team established recovery recovery victims took weeks request chairman navy sent divers person command control element divers fbi joined response efforts august bringing truck loads specialized equipment including fbi provided scan submarines navy team started looking river fbi teams planned search submarine abandon plan found big maneuver debris field cloudy water minneapolis police captain stated public safety divers trained level kind pick low hanging fruit stuff easy bodies areas sweep shore shore vehicles search weren crushed able remove looking vehicles bridge deck structural pieces seventy local state federal agencies involved rescue recovery including emergency personnel volunteers counties scott washington wright minnesota wisconsin standing federal assistance came united_states_coast_guard adventure divers private firm assisted local authorities local businesses donated wireless internet ice drinks meals teams officers sent hospitals follow injured transported different medical facilities director arrived asked setup manage family assistance center victim families coordinated site location arrangements city support relevant offices chaplain supervisor arrived scene assisted setting additional arrived began providing services victim families assisting locating family members providing calm presence august victim recovered river served food water rescue workers transport helicopter standing launched helicopter guard members ready help august red_cross volunteers staff persons people grief trauma missing persons medical issues served meals following initial rescue dot retained earthworks demolition contractor minnesota remove collapsed bridge demolish remaining spans fall divers left water briefly august company crew cranes excavation drills cutting remove parts bridge deck beams hoping improve access divers person remains pulled wreckage august company crews began bridge remnants crews removed vehicles stranded bridge august stranded cars trucks moved lot owners claim vehicles workers shifted removing bridge deck cranes equipped break concrete structural steel cranes concrete piers removed officials asked demolition crews use extreme care removing bridge remnants preserve bridge materials possible later analysis end october demolition operation substantially complete enabling construction begin new bridge november bridge debris temporarily stored nearby bohemian flats ongoing investigation collapse removed storage facility minnesota fall federal officials planned bring bridge steel concrete washington analysis determining cause collapse behalf inc interviewed announced granted minnesota million day following collapse august announced additional million minneapolis state minneapolis increased transit operations serve wake week bridge collapse removed million incident cap emergency united_states house_of_representatives united_states senate voted unanimously million emergency funding minnesota president bush signed law august august announced million immediate emergency relief associated_press clarified million million approved committees minnesota use immediate relief clean recovery work including clearing debris routing traffic design work new bridge behalf minnesota grateful help said investigation immediately began comprehensive investigation expected eighteen months immediately following collapse governor announced illinois based engineering firm selected provide essential analysis parallel investigation conducted week collapse workers beginning debris vehicles process recovering victims cameras motion added site bridge ward officials said investigation stated treating crime scene point indication foul play involved crime scene determine cause collapse employee written doctoral thesis possible failure scenarios specific bridge student nearby thesis including computer model bridge failure mode analysis aid investigation built computer model bridge virginia investigators particularly interested learning bridge southern end shifted eastward collapsed soon ruled starting point shifted focus north end structure officials said indication terrorism involved officials emphasized cause collapse determined cautioned states remain extra weight construction projects place bridges days bridge stepped united_states advised states inspect bridges similar construction identifying possible design flaw related large steel sheets called plates connect structure officials raised questions flaw discovered years flaw discovered independent consulting firm hired investigate cause collapse january announced determined bridge design specified steel plates inadequate support intended load bridge load increased time assertion based interim report calculated demand capacity ratio plates recommended similar bridge designs reviewed problem board investigation going determination probable cause reached interim findings investigation revealed safety issue attention said chairman wreckage recovery investigators discovered plates different joint locations main center span fractured board assistance conducted thorough review design bridge emphasis design plates review discovered original design process bridge led error plates main march announced update investigation relating load capacity design issues computer analysis modeling digital image analysis analysis plates investigation revealed photos june inspection bridge showed plate november released findings investigation primary cause plates inches thick contributing design construction error fact inches concrete added road surface years increasing static load contributing extraordinary weight construction equipment material resting bridge weakest point time collapse load estimated pounds consisting sand water vehicles determined significant factor routinely check safety features functional lawsuits august lawsuits settled avoid prolonged litigation cases handled novel consortium legal entities worked pro basis performed fatigue analysis consulting bridge dot august lawsuit brought state minnesota successor firm designed bridge pending turned appeal argued time passed 1960s design work allowing state minnesota suit proceed avoid protracted litigation paid million settle suit admitting wrongdoing impacts business traffic transportation funding collapse bridge affected river rail road bicycle pedestrian air transit pool created ford dam closed river navigation mile markers rail spur switched blocked collapse bike path disrupted roads 2nd street 10th avenue bridge parallels bridge block downstream closed vehicle pedestrian traffic august restricted pilots nautical mile radius rescue recovery thirty people lost jobs company delivered construction materials barge cut production area small businesses metropolitan area counties harmed bridge collapse apply beginning august loans million interest years agency disaster declaration counties came days request august open business unsure repay loans owners near collapse cases lost income large retailers mall chain stores lost early january business closed announced closing seven applications approved merchants continued explain unable shoulder debt seventy percent traffic served bridge downtown bound dot published information real time traffic information available designated alternate route area trunk highway converted temporary controlled access highway grade access points closed traffic diverted number lanes increased highways traffic lines eliminate wide shoulders widening choke points buses added park ride locations northern suburbs rush hours abandoned vehicles towed immediately august opened local traffic access ramps missing section ramps remained closed aftermath pressure exerted state legislature increase state fuel tax provide adequate maintenance funding ultimately tax increased governor veto legislation public events media minnesota twins played home game scheduled west evening accident public safety officials told team game rescue recovery efforts send people traffic blocks collapsed bridge game moment silence held victims collapse twins postponed august game traditional groundbreaking ceremonies located downtown minneapolis twins honor victims collapse placing simulated shield sign date wall visible typical pitcher viewpoint televised games remain rest season collapse interest national international news organizations evening collapse cnn stayed live coverage overnight hours local stations coverage opening hours coming satellite news operations networks sent cbs anchor nbc abc cnn broadcast news organizations interested national local bridge safety record number requests bridge information organization maintains federal information news media inquiries data hours minneapolis bridge collapse previous data past years disaster voted august request governor petition president declare city minneapolis major disaster area weeks later requested major disaster designation august subsequent press release separate disaster declaration month said preliminary damage assessments completed emergency disaster declaration requested press conference briefing bush minneapolis paul air reserve station base wing tuesday august estimated total cost emergency response million including cost million rescue recovery million state agencies estimated cost collapse state million day day bush gave emergency major disaster declaration state minnesota allowing local state agencies recover costs incurred august provide payment required emergency protective measures federal funding designated county initial limit million planned ask date restriction monetary cap lifted aid compensate county saving lives protection public safety health damage improved property disaster related needs victims removing debris restoration bridge categories needs replacement bridge replacement collapsed mississippi_river bridge crosses mississippi_river location original bridge carries north south traffic constructed accelerated schedule highway function vital link carrying truck freight dot announced september build replacement bridge million saint opened public september innovative design build project delivery method replacement bridge opened months ahead schedule awarded best overall design build project award memorial garden bridge remembrance garden memorial commemorating victims survivors bridge collapse memorial located minneapolis memorial revealed public august year anniversary collapse minnesota governor minneapolis mayor present spoke reveal ceremony included reading names victims followed moment silence held exactly time collapse years prior release memory people died memorial funded park land provided design remembrance garden created alongside survivors relatives victims design meant incorporate symbolic natural elements including stone stability trees strength live centuries water able darkness light transition tragedy new life prime feature garden includes steel beam glass columns column engraved lost story written native language columns linear length totals feet signifying date collapse columns black granite water wall wall steel words form quote lives defined happens act face life brings bring life actions compassion create enduring community tragic events quote names survivors black stone memorial includes path leading bluff overlooking mississippi_river new bridge night columns water wall illuminated led lights musical orchestral piece composed titled bridge premiered led assistant principal bassist attended world premiere
I-35W Mississippi River bridge