Regarding the 35W Bridge Collapse Tragedy
Aug 3, 2007 News
I received word from Melanie Ewald, Individual Giving Manager at the Red Cross that the Red Cross has changed its message as follows:
Due to the extraordinary generosity of the public, the American Red Cross believes that current financial donations and pledges will be sufficient to cover the estimated costs of its response to the I-35 W bridge collapse on August 1, 2007. Donors rushed to meet the needs of those who were involved in this tragic accident and their families, and because of their quick action the Red Cross was able to provide a safe place to rest, hot meals, basic first aid and mental health counseling to the survivors of this collapse. To help support our local chapter’s ongoing programs and services, which include our local disaster relief efforts, please consider making a tax-deductible donation at redcrosstc.org. Your support will allow us to respond to local disasters and emergencies and prepare the community to GET READY. Thank you.
Melanie Ewald
American Red Cross / Twin Cities Area Chapter
Individual Giving Manager
More on I 35
Aug 2, 2007 News
Rep. Rick Hansen sends out occassional e-mail updates to subscribers, here is one he sent earlier today:
Our thoughts and prayers go out to people and their families caught in the I-3W Bridge Disaster last night. Events such as this cause reflection and thought. Who? What? When? Where? How? Why? We can be proud of the professional first response by our police, fire and rescue. Also, volunteers rushed forward to help and many responders worked long and heroic hours trying to help.
Many of us are wondering what we can do to help our fellow Minnesotans in the wake of this event. To donate money, call 612-460-3700 or mail donations to: American Red Cross – Twin Cities Area Chapter, NW 5597, Box 1450, Minneapolis, MN 55485-5597. I have had many phone calls and emails today asking about the Bridge Collapse. The following are a couple of reports; one ten years old and the other recent regarding bridges, roads and repair.
1997 LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR REPORT ON HIGHWAY SPENDING
This report examines the current (1997) condition of Minnesota's trunk highway system, including bridges, and analyzes the cost of preserving the quality of the system in the future. Generally, the report concludes that current (1997) highway and bridge quality is good, but that the cost of preserving the quality of the system will probably increase.MINNESOTA 2020 REPORT
An article from Minnesota 2020 on structurally deficient/functionally obsolete bridges may be found at their website: Minnesota 2020
Also attached is a statement by leaders of the MN House and Senate. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
Rick Hansen
State Representative
401 State Office Building
(651) 296-6828
I 35 Bridge Collapse
Aug 2, 2007 News
The I 35 bridge collapse has everyone's attention and I am sure we will hear more news as time goes on. For those fo you who wish to find out more or learn how you can help here is some information:
Call the Red Cross at 612-871-7676. If callers get a voicemail, leave contact information and Red Cross volunteers will return calls. People checking on family who may have been involved in the bridge collapse can go to the Holiday Inn Metrodome in Minneapolis.
To donate money, call 612-460-3700 or mail donations to: American Red Cross – Twin Cities Area Chapter, NW 5597, Box 1450, Minneapolis, MN 55485-5597.
Here are a few basic facts about bridges in Minnesota:
In 2005, the Minnesota Department of Transportation rated the 35W bridge over the Mississippi as "structurally deficient." There are many, many more bridges in Minnesota with that rating, according to a 2006 count by The Federal Highway Administration. Minnesota has 13,008 bridges and 1,135 are on the list of "Deficient Bridges" and another 451 are rated as "functionally obsolete." Here's a link to the bridge report and a comparison with other states.
The Federal Highway Administration classifies bridges in need of an overhaul as either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. "Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges, and Transit." Here are the definitions:
Structural deficiencies are characterized by deteriorated conditions of significant bridge elements and reduced load-carrying capacity. Functional obsolescence is a function of the geometrics of the bridge not meeting current design standards.
Neither type of deficiency indicates that a bridge is necessarily unsafe, but a former N.T.S.B. chairman told the Star-Tribune:
"A structurally deficient bridge might be one not adequate for the traffic it takes, but not necessarily dangerous," Burnett said. "But a lot of structurally deficient bridges are dangerous."
The report also said that "rural bridges tend to have a higher percentage of structural deficiencies, while urban bridges have a higher incidence of functional obsolescence due to rising traffic volumes."
