I-35W inspectors flagged serious cracks, rusting

Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

State bridge inspectors warned for nearly a decade before its collapse that the Interstate 35W bridge had "severe" and "extensive" corrosion of its beams and trusses, "widespread cracking" in spans and missing or broken bolts.

Not only was the superstructure in poor condition, but certain components were "beyond tolerable limits," and one of the bridge's piers had "tilted to the north," they reported.

By 2000, the inspectors wrote that "eventual replacement of the entire structure would be preferable" to redecking the bridge. They added: "If bridge replacement is significantly delayed, the bridge should be re-decked."

That recommendation was repeated in every report afterward, but it never happened.



Read more: http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1350090.html

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IMHO someone in the Minnesota government who ignored these reports and could've acted on them needs to be jailed for murder!

Did they ask for funds for replacement of the bridge and have the requests denied at the legislature? Or was request legislatively approved but vetoed by the governor?

Or did some higher ups in the DOT wuss out and exclude the request because they knew funds were tight and they didn't want to piss off those who were responsible for their raises?

I agree. Something stinks and somebody needs to dig out just what it is.

Not that there'd be any conflicts there.

Here is a snips from Nick Coleman's (no relation to Norm) column a few days ago on this very subject.

at the point where it was attached to the concrete supports. the bridge was designed 40 years ago for traffic they never envisioned

About five percent of bridges in the US are in similar or worse condition. This could be simply the beginning.

Unless we can change the priorities in this country, it's only going to get worse. Infrastructure is about the last thing on the current agenda, because everyone reacts with horror any time a tax increase is suggested.

Thank you, Ronald Reagan. (Among others, of course.)

then make tham all TOLL BRIDGES with every penny payable into a repair fund. And then listen to all the Republicans whine about how unfair THAT is.

I believe I heard this on MSNBC last week.

I don't jump to inject politics into tragedy very lightly, but damn, between this foreseeable accident and the numerous safety infractions of the repub, union-busting mine owner, it sure seems like

Elections Really Do Have Consequences, no?

Shouldn't people who depend on their gov't representatives for their very lives in these cases be scrutinizing how these officials are looking after their best interests?

A valid question, to me at least.

He vetoed them. The latest one paid for itself with a five cent gas tax increase. Only now, after the bridge has collapsed and several people are dead is Pawlenty willing to support the gas tax.

Tim "No New Taxes" Pawlenty knows he screwed up on this one.

that rusting vital components could lead to bridge failure. Right?

There are a couple clues to why the bridge collapsed when it did. It was during rush hour, with bumper to bumper traffic, so the weight on the bridge was heavier than usual. Also, as part of the redecking of the bridge that was underway, there were trucks loaded up with old and new concrete on the bridge.

in the way mentioned in this report is likely to be important.
My immediate thought on seeing the video was that the northern part of the central span dropped earlier than the rest. That, the post disaster canting of the northern pier and the lack of evidence of any twisting as the bridge fell would seem to indicate movement of the north pier - perhaps initiated by overloading to the northern approach.

how much horribly maintained bridges & causeways are we talking about really? It sounds like they all have them everywhere and we're fortunate this doesn't happen every week! If they got major flaws, they should be fixed. Too bad we're spending all our money... elsewhere.

nt