OT - Bridge collapse in Minneapolis - St. Paul

Scioto

I35West @ University Ave. Cars in the Mississippi. Bridge down in both directions.



Aug 1, 8:20 PM EDT Bridge Collapses Into Miss. River

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The entire span of a four-lane interstate bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed during evening rush hour Wednesday, sending vehicles, tons of concrete and twisted metal crashing into the water.

The Interstate 35W bridge, which spans between Minneapolis and St. Paul, was under construction when it broke into several huge sections. Dozens of vehicles were scattered and stacked on top of each other amid the rumble.

A burning semi-truck and a school bus clung to one slanted slab, while an unknown number of vehicles were submerged.

Some people were stranded on parts of the bridge that aren't completely in the water.

Local television stations captured video of injured people being carried up the riverbank. There was no official word on injuries, but dozens of rescue vehicles were there. Divers were also in the water.

colebear

I was watching the local news and they just stopped and made a breaking news report. It looks bad, one witness on wcco said there is cars on cars and lots of dead. My girlfriend went over that bridge at 2:30 this afternoon. It is too bad. .

Scioto

Talking heads on TV say 50 cars in the water. 3 confirmed dead so far.

stown

<< <i>Talking heads on TV say 50 cars in the water. 3 confirmed dead so far. >>



Confirmed? Thought it's just reported...

It's tragic and hopefully if there were any casualties, they are extremely limited.

Prayers to all.

cardfan07

I can't tell how many times I've driven over that bridge, in either direction. Usually PACKED with traffic at 6pm. Right by the metrodome too. Lots of people probably en route to the game. Horrible thing.

BobaFett72

I'm amazed that there werent hundreds of casualties. I havent seen a confirmed amount of fatalities.

Michigan

The death toll will surely go higher as a number of cars sunk into the river or are buried underneath the concrete in the river.

JackWESQ

Well, it looks like the collapsed bridge is going to reopen soon. For those who live in Minneapolis, how has the past year been? (P.S. I'm not being sarcastic.) I know, for me, if a major freeway/artery closed here in Southern California, the disruptions would be something else. I hope no one's life here was seriously affected by this tragic incident.

/s/ JackWESQ

colebear

I am in Minneapolis and the last has been a pain in the ass for bridges. After this happened they closed numerous other bridges for repairs. All crossing rivers of course; St Cloud, Winona, Stillwater, Duluth, Hastings, Co. 23 in Minneapolis (just west of the 35w one that collapse, and my favorite, the top walking level of the University of Minnesota 3rd st bridge. No walking ro biking just driving in the middle lanes on the bottom, avoid the edges as they might suddenly give way.

Basically we have come to find that runner up in Mccain Vp running, Governor Tim"the terrible" Pawlenty and his sidekick Lt. Govenor and fired DOT chief Carol Molnau were not doing their jobs.

But do not worry they are fixing every single one right now, Wisconsin has been real nice about letting us detour.

seriously though, the fact that this people died because fo this is terrible and the next few elections in MN will surely see some major changes.

Thanks for asking though, it is a pretty big thing around here. It was/will be probably the most used bridge in the state.