BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

R D Hawks Nashville TN — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:37:07 GMT

its apparently a coincidence that a massive freight train happened to be running underneath at the exact time

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Jason Teipel, Lansdale, PA 19446 — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:49:40 GMT

You might want to bring up the Silver Bridge. U.S. RT 35 that collapsed in 1967. At 5:00 PM on December 15, 1967. Point Pleasant, WV. 46 where killed. The bridge stood for 39 years. It lead to the federal government mandated the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS).

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Dave Meisner — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:01:07 GMT

Keith Olberman described the wrong area of 35w. The area he described is south of downtown at Minnehaha Parkway and Minnehaha Creek where they are doing some work on the road and replacing an overpass. This collapse is downtown Minneapolis by the Metrodome.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Greg, Danville, CA — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:03:08 GMT

Is this a sign of our frighteningly rotten infrastructure? That we will soon be selling pieces of our infrastructure to private foreign companies to help deal with our appalling debt?

Let's hope for the best and that no one is seriously injured.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Bonnie — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:03:46 GMT

Kudos to Countdown for the excellent coverage of this disaster. Your real-time reporting skills were certainly on display tonight, and the clarity and thoroughness was amazing. As someone who is very familiar with the area and has been over this bridge many times, I appreciated the detailed and accurate coverage. Good work and thanks.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

A desert rat in AZ — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:10:32 GMT

Good job on the coverage of this disaster! Kudos.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:13:55 GMT

My thoughts are with the people on that bridge, their families, and with the rescue workers putting their lives on the line in what is still a very dangerous situation.

Keith, your thoughtful, careful, and measured reporting was wonderful and very informative. Your gift for language is immeasurable. THANK YOU!

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Joe Palen, Eugene, OR — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:13:57 GMT

As an engineer with experience in vibration related failures of chemical plant equipment, I think Keith has probably nailed the reason for the collapse. In addition to too much weight, the pile drivers (or less likely jackhammers)apparently set up sympathetic vibrations in the bridge structure, causing the deck to sway in sync and eventually producing runaway disasterous displacements.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 02:41:47 GMT

Having seen the Bay Bridge literally fall apart during the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco, cars falling into the ocean and massive casualties, this certainly brings back very horrid and sad memories.

My sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones and to those who have lost their lives, may you rest in peace.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Andrew (Charleston, SC) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 02:46:52 GMT

Awful tragedy, to say the least.

Excellent reporting, Keith and Dan.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Carol Malady, Scotts Valley, CA — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:04:12 GMT

The combination of the jackhammer creating a carrier wave of vibration along with the lock-step stop-and-go of rush hour traffic causing a rocking motion would put stresses on weak points that could result in collapse. Being unfamiliar with the bridge and how the railroad interacts, I can only guess that might be a contributing factor, as well.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Bill Rutherford, Wichita, Kansas — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:06:31 GMT

I understand that the Mississippi is below its usual pool level due the drought and, probably, Global Warming. Would those who survived this event on the fallen bridge surface have faced greater peril had the river been at its normal level?

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

J. Tavis, Bismarck, ND — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:09:33 GMT

Sounds like a perfect-storm recipe for disaster: combined rush-hour and Twins game traffic at a virtual standstill overloading the bridge, add jackhammers for vibrational effect above and possible freight train vibration at base below, the 90+ degree heat and an older "structurally unique" design. A few of these elements are reminiscent of Silver Bay collapse (featured in The Mothman Prophecies movie) as someone already noted.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

clark dumont, las vegas, nv — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:15:47 GMT

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Carol, Long Valley NJ — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:44:52 GMT

Our prayers are with those who were injured during the collapse.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Niels and family, down on Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:02:43 GMT

Excellent reporting tonight, the reason we count on Keith and MSNBC. It will probably be months before a final determination on the exact causes of this tragedy is made. In the meantime, we offer our prayers for all those caught in this disaster.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

v c — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:12:43 GMT

I pray that someone gets around to asking gov pawlenty why he spent the money we were to use to repair our roads and bridges.......he obviously felt it was needed and spent it. Not for our children in their schools of course. Lets dig into this Mr Olbermann as I know you will tell the truth seeing as our goverment is unable to know what the meaning of that is . I want to know why this happened and why my friends had to end up in the mississippi river in order for someone to check into another replublicans miss use of us taxpayers money.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:15:13 GMT

I have truly appreciated the extra effort Keith and Dan Abrams have put forth to report on this story. Thanks for sticking to the facts as you have been able to find them and providing such calm, steady coverage of a tragic breaking story.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Roland Madore, Fort Collins, CO — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:22:29 GMT

Regarding today's bridge collapse in the twin cities, I'm truly sorry, but all the infrastructure of this country of ours needs immediate attention and/or repair. Yet due to his pride and greed, Bush has neglected all our needs here at home in favor of spending billions to destroy the infrastructure in Iraq.

Added most recently to his long list of failures, we now also have his continuous abuse of "executive privilege," and his refusal to protect the American consumer....what with a massive toy recall (thanks to China) and his insistance also on importing chickens from China...How much can the American public stomach from this no brainer president before they take to the streets protesting?

I hope the Democratic presidential candidates pick up on this and our elected officials get a flood of calls while they're on break at home.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Randy Orlando — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 05:04:40 GMT

Go here:
http://www.kstp.com/

And click on:
Safety engineer: What might have happened:

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S156551.shtml?cat=1&v=1

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Wayne, TN — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:06:22 GMT

" I'm truly sorry, but all the infrastructure of this country of ours needs immediate attention and/or repair."
It was being resurfaced and repaired when it collapsed.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

buttercup, pittsburgh pa — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:43:30 GMT

Randy, thanks for that safety engineer link. Very telling, his reactions to the inspection findings.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Keith Allentown PA — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:27:14 GMT

"Roland Madore, Fort Collins, CO"

"Regarding today's bridge collapse in the twin cities, I'm truly sorry, but all the infrastructure of this country of ours needs immediate attention and/or repair. Yet due to his pride and greed, Bush has neglected all our needs here at home in favor of spending billions to destroy the infrastructure in Iraq."

This is a pathetic display of partisan politics. In the wake of a tragedy that has unfolded, you place the blame on Bush's shoulders because of a failing infrastructure. For the sake of the country, can we please unite to show support for those who are involved in this tragedy, and stop with the politics. There is a time and a place. Show some respect.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:39:02 GMT

Wayne, TN: I agree. I have spoken to a good friend who is a project engineer on many State and US bridges and he tells me that over half in this country are in terrible condition in terms of stability and that we just continue to resurface and do minor repairs.

Ditto Carol: Our prayers go out to those who were injured and their families.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Megan, Houston, TX — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:21:04 GMT

Keith, you and Countdown were how I found out about the collapse. I have family in MSP, and I had to call my mother to get information (I knew my uncle was okay, since he was anchoring coverage at the ABC affiliate, but my aunt and cousins could have been out), and thank God, everyone's okay. I must commend you for your measured response to the news and your refusal to speculate. This, among other reasons, is why I appreciate Countdown. Thanks again.
Randy: Thanks for the link to KSTP's website, and that story in particular. I was trying to get through to see any info, and I couldn't connect last night.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Pete Butters, Pavia, Italy — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:23:32 GMT

It is ridululous to think that this bridge could have been monitored by a hi-tech system for as little as $10k per year and continuously during the repair work. Any deterioration could have been found and the disaster could have been avoided.
Bridge structural health monitoring is a preceise, hi-tech field with precise results available, but people either don't know about it or don't want to spend the (small) amount of money.
Countries like Russia, Vietnam, China, Thailand and Malaysia all use high tech monitoring, so why is the superpower so far behind?

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Scott Copeland, Naples, Florida — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:45:46 GMT

"This is a pathetic display of partisan politics. In the wake of a tragedy that has unfolded, you place the blame on Bush's shoulders because of a failing infrastructure. For the sake of the country, can we please unite to show support for those who are involved in this tragedy, and stop with the politics. There is a time and a place. Show some respect. "

You mean like Bush did at his press conference about the bridge collapse? He spent ten seconds offering sympathy to the families, and two minutes for blasting the Democrats.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, we got too many problems in our own country to be throwing 450 billion dollars at stopping a civil war in another. And untill we fix our own problems at home, we don't have the moral authority to be trying to fix other countries.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:24:38 GMT

Roland Madore - well said. Our bridges as well built and maintained as New Orleans levees. Our infrastructure needs immediate attention and continual care - and not by political donors and no-bid contracts.

I'm wondering what effect the train had that was passing under the bridge. Thank God it was a freight train rather than Amtrak.

My prayers are continuing for all those affected by this horrible event.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

LA,Seattle — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:26:38 GMT

This was a tragic accident. It was the result of many factors coming together at once; bridge repair, heavy traffic, etc. That's why they call them "accidents". So many times we try to lay blame on these things; that's why there are so many rich lawyers. Yes - bridges need to be maintained and from what I have read, this one was inspected several times over the last few years. Those people that end up suing over these things are the very same people that complain the loudest when they get stuck in traffic when there are repairs and inspections being done. Shit happens. It's just that simple.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

linda scott, aurora, colorado 80014 — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:33:51 GMT

How much of our crumbling infrastructure could have been replaced and/or repaired for the $1 trillion dollars we have and will waste on Bush's brainless folly in Iraq. Who wants to take a bet that 1 trillion figure will go up and up before all is said and done. Bush pledged a paltry 5million, hooray. I am somewhat surprised that the Bush administration didn't try to claim that this was a terror attack and that it was the democrat's fault. God bless all of the victims and those who risked their own lives to save people.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Keith, Allentown PA — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:50:39 GMT

linda scott.

He pledged $5 million immediately to cover the cost of redirecting traffic. His transportation secretary is going out to the area to monitor the situation. If more funds are needed (and they obviously will), then more will be forthcoming. I am sorry, but all you bush haters need to stop making EVERYTHING POLITICAL.

Scott C. Spent 10 seconds . 10 seconds, I don't think so, he was in communication with the governor, and was in contact with several agencies that day. Also, his wife was being dispatched to offer comfort to families.

You have nothing hear. The fact remains, the bridge was 40 years old and needed work. Unfortunately, the ongoing work was not enough to stop a tragedy from happening.

Just stop everyone, as it is sickening the constant rhetoric. By the way, the Twins did the right thing by postponing the game.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Scott Copeland, Naples, Florida — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:09:52 GMT

"Scott C. Spent 10 seconds . 10 seconds, I don't think so, he was in communication with the governor, and was in contact with several agencies that day. Also, his wife was being dispatched to offer comfort to families."

I'm talking about his televised news conference around noon,which I watched live, and I stand by my assessment. I didn't put a stop watch on it, but anybody with two ears and half a brain who watched it knows he spent a LOT more time bashing the Democratic congress than he did offering sympathy to the families.

Unlike some, I don't have to make stuff up.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:09:56 GMT

Keith / Allentown: Have to agree with you on this one.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Buzz — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:40:07 GMT

I, too, feel great sympathy for the victims on and near the bridge, as well as the people in the area that will have to live through the inconveniences of not having access to this major artery in their daily endeavors. I also agree that it's wrong to bring politics into the discussion, but couldn't help but have this thought creep into my mind: I wonder how much gasoline prices will increase, and be blamed on this in the next few weeks? (he said, with much sarcasm...)

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

rick — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:11:18 GMT

Scott Copeland, you don't want to hold Republicans responsible for their No New Taxes, let the infrastructure fall apart mentality? You call it a it a pathetic display of partisan politics. Well here's a real pathetic display of partisan politics - Michael Savage, one of your Rethuglican heros, reacted to news that Chief Justice John Roberts had suffered a seizure by raising the possibility that "his health was in some way tampered with by the Democrats". Just more Rethug BS.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Kita, Minneapolis, MN — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:50:38 GMT

Listen everyone. I live in Minneapolis, I used to drive over the 35W bridge everyday on the way to the U of M for classes. Tragically, the currents on the Mississippi River down from the lock and dam are just plain nasty and I fear that we will discover victims downstream closer to the Franklin Avenue or I94 bridges (Minneapolis and St. Paul have MANY bridges spanning both the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers).

However, the simple fact here on the ground in Minnesota is that our legislature and Governor Pawlenty have been bickering over transportation funding for years and that goes all the way back to Governor Ventura. In fact, Gov. Pawlenty just recently vetoed a big transportation bill. While I don't know that the recently vetoed bill would have covered this bridge; the roads, bridges and infrastructure in this state are falling apart and our state government doesn't seem to care. The governor refuses to raise taxes(even gas taxes) to fix our infrastructure and where else is the state going to get the billions of dollars needed to keep something horrific like this from happening again? Hopefully NOW our state government will actually work together and get something done.

Everyone in the Twin Cities is just stunned and terribly saddened. We are all pulling together here in the Twin Cities, it is the Minnesota way.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Scott Copeland, Naples, Florida — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:51:53 GMT

rick (Sent Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:11 PM)

Uh, rick, if you've read any of my post you know I have no republican heroes. I was quoting a previous post.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Roland Madore, Fort Collins, CO — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:44:28 GMT

Keith of Allentown--Again, I AM truly sorry for what happened in the twin cities...but, this accident should once again serve to alert the country that "all is not well here in USA". Now, why is that?

And don't lecture me about what's pathetic, or on leaving politics out of it, or about showing some respect. Everything Bush has done or NOT done has been for political gain...ALWAYS!

The facts are plain and simple: We have no money...why? We are NOT protected...why? And I can protest...why? Okay, then, let's blame it on rats in the White House.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

CJ, Saint Paul, MN — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:09:06 GMT

It's hard to overstate how central 35W is to transportation within the Twin Cities. I couldn't begin to calculate the number of times I've crossed it. Multiply the incalculable by the number of people I know -- it's unthinkable.

Forty years ago, Minnesotans built that bridge. My generation profited from it. We really didn't think of what we were given any more than we might stop to ponder our parents' smallpox vaccinations. These legacies of health and industry were the backdrop to our prosperity.

Whatever the inspectors determine caused the bridge to fall, the least logical, and for me most compelling, is this: We stopped clapping. Cynics tell us public work is too corrupt, inefficient, and must be abandoned in favor of private effort. I'm not in this camp. People who build and repair these structures with their own hands - at great heights, in extreme weather, amidst thousands of commuters - have my admiration.

Shocking events sometimes inspire one to rethink childish impulses, but perhaps a child-like sense of awe on spying a construction crane is an appropriate response. To keep our public works, our treasures, my heart tells me we need to abandon cynicism and start clapping again.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:23:15 GMT

Roland: Yes you can blame the current lack of money on those in the whitehouse but you can blame the poor upkeep and replacement of this country's infrastructure on every single administration over the last 50 years regardless of party. These bridges and other structures in this country that the public relies on to be safe have been deterioating for years and years, not just over the last 7 -8 years.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Hugh.G.Rection — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:46:47 GMT

On the positive side they will construct a new bride, henceforth, creating new jobs.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:38:12 GMT

Kita and CJ, you and everyone in the area are in my thoughts. I hope you or those you care about were not directly affected by this horrible accident.

I'm truly at a loss for words, and I don't mean this to sound trite, but I hope everyone in the area supports each other and that you all find some peace soon.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

JM, Minneapolis, MN — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:25:25 GMT

My husband (and father of five small children) is down there with his crew of firefighters underneath the unstable bridge risking his life to pull someone's son out of the semi that exploded, just so they can bury the body. So, when you are tempted to make this about politics, remember the families that have lost loved ones already and the families that may still have one to lose, and bite your tongue (and your fingers!) and don't use this disaster to forward your own political agenda

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

John Doe, West Lafayette, Ind — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 04:25:10 GMT

http://blog.ienonline.com/post/fatigue_evaluation_of_the_deck_truss_of_bridge_9340/

Pretty interesting, sites a report from the University of Minnesota on some possible contributing factors to the collapse.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Keith Allentown PA — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:59:11 GMT

Roland

Again there is a time and a place for the Bush did this and Bush did that mantra. Infrastructure has been neglected for decades, so it is not the last 7 years. Neglect is more a function of the growth in road traffic does not allow for adequate maintenance, because then the roads get too congested. Roland, I stand by my comments, your out of line.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Keith, Allentown, PA — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:49:41 GMT

JM

I agree with you 100%. There is a time and place for politics. May your husband return home safely from his heroic efforts. God Bless those first responders.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Roland Madore, Fort Collins, CO — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:52:04 GMT

This is really A Tale of Two Cities, and it has everything to do with politics because one of these cities, at the northern, top end of the muddy Mississippi, will have its bridge rebuilt in time for the Republican National Convention. Mark my word, lots of corporate money will flow into this city, but quick, and building will be frantic in order to meet this deadline.

Now, at the southern, bottom end of the muddy Mississippi, there sits another city--neglected--with no frantic builing and no dealines. Hmmmmm, we have the age old scenario here: the tragedy between have's and the have not's.

Meanwhile, our elected leaders in both major are all talk and no action. They do nothing, but continue allow the big oil, insurance, and pharmaceutical companies to sit at the table and eat up our piece of the pie and take our votes away from us. Additonally, they raise freezers-full of money, accept pay raises, position themselves and argue over turf, and talk, talk talk.

We, the People, however, have been sent yet another message with this recent tragedy, so now is the time when we must act TOGETHGER--first, by coming out from behind the shadows of the lies and neglect here at home.

The fear card has been played for too long. Beyond the fear, there is freedom, but we must stop being complacent and lazy. Democracy is participatory. All of us must get involved in this nation's work by providing some sacrifice and service.

Again, my heart goes out to those suffering loss and grieving in the Twin Cities--just as it does for our troops who have died and been injured in Afghanistan and Iraq. But none who died on 9/11, in Afghanistan and Iraq, in Katrina, or--most recently--in the Twin Cities--have died in vain.

The object lesson is plain and clear: we must not rely on our leaders to get the job done. Let's work together everywhere at home here equally.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Lucy Alvarez — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 21:24:41 GMT

I think this happened for negligency of monitoring conditions of this kind of bridges, sopporting all days overweigth with the constant traffic on it.
Where is the coincience of the personnel responsible on it.
I hope this haven't happened to anyone of the family of these persons.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Wayne, TN — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:14:20 GMT

"Now, at the southern, bottom end of the muddy Mississippi, there sits another city--neglected--with no frantic builing and no dealines. Hmmmmm, we have the age old scenario here: the tragedy between have's and the have not's.
"
Nawleans is a cesspool of crime, thats why few are interested in pumping money into a city whose own local government screwed the pooch on updating its levees in order to build golf courses and bike paths thereby losing out on federal matching funds, then tried to shift the blame to federal authorities.
New Orleans police, rather than stopping looting abandoned their posts and joined in the looting before the levees even breeched.
The more I hear about New Orleans the less I care whether it gets rebuilt or sinks back into the slime.

BREAKING: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Ashley Peterson Dennison MN — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:22:04 GMT

i think we need to find what had happen when they where working that made the this happen and i think this is something that no one will ever forget about in the usa i hope we have been looking at the other bridges in the states around us and make sure that this dose not happen again for a long time