Minnesota Agency Faulted on Bridge Upkeep

[Trainspotter 0]

Minnesota Agency Faulted on Bridge Upkeep

Before the Interstate 35W bridge in downtown Minneapolis collapsed last year, state transportation officials had put off recommendations from experts to make it safer, failed to follow their own inspection policies and at times allowed financing concerns to affect how it was maintained, a team of investigators told Minnesota lawmakers in a report Wednesday.

 

The investigators were severely critical of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which was responsible for maintaining the bridge. The 40-year-old span, one of the busiest in the state, had been deemed in “poor” condition during regular inspections over 17 consecutive years, they found, before it fell into the Mississippi River on Aug. 1, killing 13 people and injuring 145.

 

Full story: - May 22, 2008

[Pablo M 201 35]

I knew lack of maintance was the cause. I think we all saw that result coming.

[metsfan 2]

The silver bridge of mothman fame comes to mind. A bridge over a creek near my house was recently replaced. Compared to the old structure, this one should last a LONG time.

 

- Andy

[R68 Subway Car 254]

Good maintance could have saved the bridge. The Minnesota Department of Transportation had from 1990 to 2007 to save that bridge and they failed.