I-35W bridge in Minnesota collapses

[Santheb]

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1338294.html

Holy crap, I hope everyone is okay.

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

i was just about to post this. im watching the coverage of it on CNN right now and the devastation is crazy. they say at least 3 people have died, but a police officer says he saw 7 dead bodies.

[WackyJacky]

Holy cow, I just saw this on CNN. How scary! They're saying 3 dead, but I'm sure that number will rise. What could cause a major bridge to collapse all of the sudden?

[shally]

since it was unlikely to be an earthquake (the way they usually happen out west).. my guess would be some kind of soil failure or erosion

[Dept_of_Defense]

That's crazy. I watched The Mothman Prophecies the other day and after I saw the bridge collapse @ the end of the movie, I've been nervous getting on any bridge. Now I'm really going to be nervous.

[WarEagle]

Originally Posted by Dept_of_Defense

That's crazy. I watched The Mothman Prophecies the other day and after I saw the bridge collapse @ the end of the movie, I've been nervous getting on any bridge. Now I'm really going to be nervous.

I'm a big fan of that movie, and immediately thought about it tonight.

The Twins are playing tonight and it is suspected that many fans were on the bridge headed for the game. When the news helicopters do a wide shot, you can really appreciate just how big that bridge was.

[redskin_rich]

Originally Posted by shally

since it was unlikely to be an earthquake (the way they usually happen out west).. my guess would be some kind of soil failure or erosion

They said the bridge was last inspected in 2003. I don't know that much erosion can happen in 4 years, also it looks like the collapse started right in the middle, since each end over land is still somewhat intact. My guess is something happened with the pillars down in the middle of the river bed. Probably something that was not done right back when it was built and 40 years later, it finally malfunctioned.

[WarEagle]

For added perspective, here are three old photos of the bridge.

http://www.visi.com/~jweeks/bridges/pages/ms16.html

[redskin_rich]

Originally Posted by WarEagle

For added perspective, here are three old photos of the bridge.

http://www.visi.com/~jweeks/bridges/pages/ms16.html

That one picture shows how close the train runs to those pillars. There was a train under the bridge when it collapsed. I wonder...

[WarEagle]

Originally Posted by redskin_rich

That one picture shows how close the train runs to those pillars. There was a train under the bridge when it collapsed. I wonder...

I saw the same footage of that crushed train. Got me thinking, too, but it seems so unlikely. I'm sure we'll hear from lots of engineers over the next few days.

[redskin_rich]

Originally Posted by WarEagle

I saw the same footage of that crushed train. Got me thinking, too, but it seems so unlikely. I'm sure we'll hear from lots of engineers over the next few days.

My first theory about pillars in the river bed is shot, as there are no pillars in the river. So, now I'm going with the theory that the train had something to do with it. It doesn't have to be a derailment, which would be obvious if so. Just the constant jarring of a train going by can weaken bolts, concrete and steel. Anybody who has ever stood next to a train going by (and I have) knows the earthshaking vibration they cause.

[shally]

Originally Posted by redskin_rich

They said the bridge was last inspected in 2003. I don't know that much erosion can happen in 4 years, also it looks like the collapse started right in the middle, since each end over land is still somewhat intact. My guess is something happened with the pillars down in the middle of the river bed. Probably something that was not done right back when it was built and 40 years later, it finally malfunctioned.

if it happened in louisiana you would know that someone's nephew got a no bid contract...

[Biggie]

Wow, that is insane. I'm waiting to hear what the cause was as well.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Just saw this on the news this morning when I woke up. Wow...what a disaster...they are reporting 7 dead but many might still be in the river...
Damn..that is tragic.

[Patrick]

Very scary for us - my wife's family is all out there. Haven't hear anything from them but I wouldn't think that's an area they would be in during that time of day. Very tragic - AND those kids on the school bus ?? Never heard if they were all alright.