Bridge Collapse!

[JohnR]

From Wikipedia:

The I-35W Bridge is a deck-arch truss bridge that spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was built in 1967 by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The bridge is notable for not having any piers in the water. Instead, the main support piers are located on the banks of the river, and are built of tubular-shaped concrete pillars. This allows for a wide, clear span across the river, making river navigation easier. Although not very decorative, the bridge is one of the widest bridges in the Twin Cities area and provides an important link for Interstate 35W traffic.

[Raven]

all this happened WITHOUT the aid of an earthquake.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by JohnR

From Wikipedia:

The I-35W Bridge is a deck-arch truss bridge that spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was built in 1967 by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The bridge is notable for not having any piers in the water. Instead, the main support piers are located on the banks of the river, and are built of tubular-shaped concrete pillars. This allows for a wide, clear span across the river, making river navigation easier. Although not very decorative, the bridge is one of the widest bridges in the Twin Cities area and provides an important link for Interstate 35W traffic.

I wonder if not having piers in the water is what caused this. In one of the pictures above, the double arch bridge next to the one that collapsed has a big concrete footing right in the middle of the river. It kind of defeats the purpose of not having piers in the water on the one that collapsed. Thoughts and prayers for the people who were killed or injured and their families. It's pretty scary that things like this can happen and you never know when or where.

[Raven]

that paragraph...

It sounds like a suspension bridge without the suspension

[Swimmer]

I had Nat'l Fox on the tube at the station last night, (which is always on when I am working) when they went from one program to the collapse. The time from the collapse to airing it was only about eight to ten minutes and the kids were allready off the bus and off the bridge structure. That bus driver should be commended for her safe/defensive driving. If the driver had been doing 65 m.p.h. those kids would have been severely injured. The citizen response was truly heartwarming. Boats were launched and went to the scene. I even saw a kayaker padelling around helping out.