ASCE Responds to the I-35W Bridge Collapse

In response to the catastrophic I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, ASCE is playing a significant and proactive role in the review and analysis of one of our nation's tragic infrastructure disasters. Shortly after the collapse occurred, ASCE immediately began to provide technical and authoritative information to the media and has developed a dedicated area on the ASCE website to providing further resources and related information. The website will continue to evolve over the coming days and should serve as an excellent resource to keep members up to date and help in answering any general questions that may be received. ASCE members can take pride in knowing that ASCE and the civil engineering profession continue to play such a key role in understanding and responding to natural and man-made disasters and in improving the resilience of our nation’s critical infrastructure.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

MN-DOT Public Open House to Discuss Design-Build Project to Replace I-35W Bridge

Minnesota DOT (MN-DOT) announced that a Public Open House will be held on Thursday August 16th to discuss the design-build project to replace the I-35 W bridge. The public can also provide comments online at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/rebuild/index.html

MN-DOT's proposed plans for the new I-35 W bridge include 10 lanes for the bridge (up from eight lanes on the previous bridge) with one lane in each direction possibly accommodating transit. Lt. Governor Carol Molnau and Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell have sent a letter to Governor Tim Pawlenty describing their assessment for the Governor of the light rail possibility. Their letter states: "At your direction, we have completed our preliminary assessment of the potential for reconstructing the I-35 bridge in a manner that could incorporate a light rail line. For the reasons that follow, we have concluded that the inherent disadvantages of including LRT do not justify the expense and delays that would result from further study." The full letter is available at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/rebuild/letters/lrt.pdf

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