Minneapolis I 35W Bridge Crash - Page 2

KuteNurse · 03-26-2008, 10:06 PM

Hi da Sage!

Yes, that could be a factor in the 35 collapse, but I believe engineers found the cause to be that the bridge was built with only one plate and they needed at least two for a sound structure.

The same problem exists for the St. Cloud bridge. I know when I go home, (my family is from St. Cloud), in 2 weeks, I am not going to cross that bridge. lol What inferiates me is waiting until something happens to fix the problem and innocent lives are lost. I am certain politics and money are the causes of this. Have you been to the Med Cruise recently? Soon I want to take a trip and go shopping. I just have to figure out when! lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by da Sage

Hi Kute Nurse,

It does not seem right that they are opening that bridge again. I would not want to cross it every day, that's for sure. But in my gut, I believe that the "tripping factor" in the I-35 bridge was all the heavy construction material and equipment piled on one place on the bridge.

I think someone is afraid of setting a precedent (at the state level) that they actually have to fix unsafe bridges before they collapse!

And the reason they are afraid, is that there are so many bridges in the state that are not structurally sound.

da Sage · 03-26-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KuteNurse

Yes, that could be a factor in the 35 collapse, but I believe engineers found the cause to be that the bridge was built with only one plate and they needed at least two for a sound structure.

The single plate is the underlying cause, but IMO the construction equipment (combined with rush hour traffic) is the straw that broke the camel's back. This is why I might cross the Stillwater bridge, but I wouldn't want to do so during rush hour!

Quote:

Originally Posted by KuteNurse

The same problem exists for the St. Cloud bridge. I know when I go home, (my family is from St. Cloud), in 2 weeks, I am not going to cross that bridge. lol What inferiates me is waiting until something happens to fix the problem and innocent lives are lost. I am certain politics and money are the causes of this.

They should have started work on the bridges years ago. Infrastructure maintenance is NOT OPTIONAL!

Quote:

Originally Posted by KuteNurse

Have you been to the Med Cruise recently? Soon I want to take a trip and go shopping. I just have to figure out when! lol

I haven't been in a couple of months. I'm actually going to a different (new) restaurant this weekend...Shiraz.

I hope their food is as good as the Med Cruise's!

Brea · 03-27-2008, 01:06 AM

I wonder often how long our other bridges are going to survive. We have lots of them in this state, some of which go over a very powerful and deadly lake. I used to have nightmares about crashing off the Aerial Lift for some reason...my dad told me if you fall in the canal you're gone. I do see weird people swim in it from time to time though...hmmm.

KuteNurse · 03-27-2008, 02:00 AM

Interesting. I always get nervous about the interchange from 53 to 35W. That section of bridges is so old. If you have ever driven underneath on West Michigan street you can see under the bridges and the concrete looks broken and the steel is rusty! I am quite frankly to cross bridges since the 35W collapse. I hold my breath all the time...I used to love bridges, especially the 7 mile bridge going to the FL Keys. But now...I get serious anxiety.

sultan · 04-01-2008, 08:52 PM

They should have started work on the bridges years ago. Infrastructure maintenance is NOT OPTIONAL!

The company I work for is one of several that has gotten a government contract on building the new bridge. Interestingly, it is mostly comprised of right wing types who hate government intervention in the form of inspections and regulations. But when the bureaucrats and politicians came along with generous contracts for building a new bridge, our company's officials went hat in hand for an opportunity to get their mitts on those big bucks.

Quite an irony, but not unusual.

KuteNurse · 04-01-2008, 10:58 PM

That is just frightening! When I go home in a couple of weeks, I certainly will not cross that bridge! I am not certain what they are thinking or why they think it is ok to risk innocent lives. It just really infuriates me. I am quite frankly scared to cross bridges in general now. I had to cross the Blatnik bridge last week for BD class and I was terrified! (Even though the bridge was inspected and all was ok.)

Brea · 04-03-2008, 04:31 PM

KuteNurse-

Is there something wrong with the Blatnik?! I hadn't heard that. We have some massive bridges over deep water around here. Can you imagine driving to Superior without them?

KuteNurse · 04-03-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brea

KuteNurse-

Is there something wrong with the Blatnik?! I hadn't heard that. We have some massive bridges over deep water around here. Can you imagine driving to Superior without them?

No No! The bridge was actually inspected last September. I just do not like driving over bridges after the 35 W crash. I have to travel to St. Cloud in a couple of weeks and I will not cross the highway 23 bridge which is similiar to the 35 bridge.

03-27-2008, 01:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	I wonder often how long our other bridges are going to survive. We have lots of them in this state, some of which go over a very powerful and deadly lake. I used to have nightmares about crashing off the Aerial Lift for some reason...my dad told me if you fall in the canal you're gone. I do see weird people swim in it from time to time though...hmmm. __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

04-03-2008, 04:31 PM	#17 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	KuteNurse- Is there something wrong with the Blatnik?! I hadn't heard that. We have some massive bridges over deep water around here. Can you imagine driving to Superior without them? __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

03-27-2008, 02:00 AM	#14 (permalink)
KuteNurse V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,969	Interesting. I always get nervous about the interchange from 53 to 35W. That section of bridges is so old. If you have ever driven underneath on West Michigan street you can see under the bridges and the concrete looks broken and the steel is rusty! I am quite frankly to cross bridges since the 35W collapse. I hold my breath all the time...I used to love bridges, especially the 7 mile bridge going to the FL Keys. But now...I get serious anxiety.

04-01-2008, 08:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
sultan Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 120	They should have started work on the bridges years ago. Infrastructure maintenance is NOT OPTIONAL! The company I work for is one of several that has gotten a government contract on building the new bridge. Interestingly, it is mostly comprised of right wing types who hate government intervention in the form of inspections and regulations. But when the bureaucrats and politicians came along with generous contracts for building a new bridge, our company's officials went hat in hand for an opportunity to get their mitts on those big bucks. Quite an irony, but not unusual.

04-01-2008, 10:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
KuteNurse V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,969	That is just frightening! When I go home in a couple of weeks, I certainly will not cross that bridge! I am not certain what they are thinking or why they think it is ok to risk innocent lives. It just really infuriates me. I am quite frankly scared to cross bridges in general now. I had to cross the Blatnik bridge last week for BD class and I was terrified! (Even though the bridge was inspected and all was ok.)