TOPIC: Bridge collapse in Minneapolis

In case you were wondering, and knew I'm in the Twin Cities, I was 30 miles away when it happened, so no worries here.  But keep all those people that were on the bridge in your thoughts and prayers!  <br /><br />binia

Good to hear that you are safe! My thoughts go out to the ones that were and their families!

My sister, her husband, and my niece almost moved there last year.  I'm glad they didn't, because they might have been travelling across that bridge every day, and I'd be worried as heck.<br /><br />Hope they can get everyone out of there OK...

I didn't do it!  I wasn't anywhere near it, either!

<br />I didn't do it!  I wasn't anywhere near it, either!<br />

<br /><br />And here, I was just thinking to myself, you know, if anyone on this board knows how to use a jackhammer, it'd be Mock...  =D<br /><br />binia

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<br />I didn't do it!  I wasn't anywhere near it, either!<br />

<br /><br />And here, I was just thinking to myself, you know, if anyone on this board knows how to use a jackhammer, it'd be Mock...   =D<br /><br />binia<br />

<br /><br />Well, I do know how to use a jackhammer....  But, I've been in Chicago all day and have the phone records and video surveillance to prove it!

Didn't know that was where you were at.<br /><br />Glad to hear you and your family are okay.<br /><br />Isn't this the second bridge collapse in the past 2-4 months?  <br /><br />I'm glad it wasn't me or mine.  I'm sorry it had to be anyone at all.<br /><br /><br />JKW

Thats horrible news.  I hope there is no more loss of life.<br /><br />I heard that the inspectors report said that the bridge needed maintenance and was at risk of collapsing.  =|<br /><br />Um, I wonder if the inspectors supervisor still has a job...

<br />Thats horrible news.  I hope there is no more loss of life.<br /><br />I heard that the inspectors report said that the bridge needed maintenance and was at risk of collapsing.   =|<br /><br />Um, I wonder if the inspectors supervisor still has a job...<br />

<br /><br />Below is a quote from our local Fox news.  Sure makes me wonder if I want to ever go over another bridge again, at least any in Minnesota.  And somehow the death total has gone from 9 down to 4 - not even going to speculate on how that happened....<br /><br />A six-year-old report from the University of Minnesota's Department of Civil Engineering identified fatigue in the bridge because some girders were distorted. Engineers also saw evidence of fatigue on the main truss and floor trusses and said the bridge might collapse if part of the truss gave way under the eight-lane freeway.  <br /><br />Even with these issues, that report said there was probably no need for quick repairs, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Wednesday that state inspectors said the bridge wouldn't need to be replaced until 2020 or later.    <br /><br />Minnesota was already lagging on bridge maintenance a decade ago when state Legislative Auditor James Nobles looked at the state's transportation system. Nobles said traffic congestion has worsened since the 1997 report and the state is even more behind on transportation projects now.    <br /><br />"If additional funding were available, it might be a good time to address the backlog of bridges needing repair or replacement due to deficient structural conditions," the report said. "In at least 15 to 20 years, MnDOT will be facing even more significant bridge replacement needs." <br />

I think the death toll went down because that is how many bodies they have (4) at the medical examiner's office.  Those 'reported' dead are not officially being added in for some reason.

Resisting urge to bring up politics.<br /><br />Best wishes to all those affected by this tragedy.<br />

Politics?  Did someone say the word?  How about Politicians?  How about lining their pockets with gold?  Lining the pockets of their buddies with gold?  I think a lot of it boils down to politicians and top-level business owners (such as owners of contruction teams) getting rich while the rest become poorer and die in horrible accidents such as bridge collapses.<br /><br />