• On Wednesday, August 1, 2007, at 6:05pm CDT, the I-35W Bridge near University Avenue in Minneapolis collapsed, leaving multiple vehicles and pedestrians in the Mississippi River. 13 people died, and over 100 were injured.

• 1. Dead: 13
  2. Vehicles involved: 50 - 100
  3. Bridge opened: 1967
  4. Bridge design: Deck-arch truss bridge
  5. Crosses: Mississippi River
  6. Average daily traffic: 140,000The New York Times: Bridge Construction Draws Crowds in Minneapolis (June 8, 2008)
  7. Victim compensation fund: $38 millionThe New York Times: Bridge Construction Draws Crowds in Minneapolis (June 8, 2008)

• Causes

  The National Transportation Safety Board announced on January 15, 2008 that the cause of the collapse may have been a design flaw. A report from the Gray Plant and Mooty law firm in May 2008 said that budget issues had led to poor maintenance on the bridge, which was also a factor in the collapse.

• Reconstruction

  Construction began on October 30, 2007 of a replacement bridge, with construction expected to conclude in December 2008.

• New Bridge Facts

  1. Scheduled completion date: December 24, 2008The New York Times: Bridge Construction Draws Crowds in Minneapolis (June 8, 2008)
  2. Rumor: Will open September 1The New York Times: Bridge Construction Draws Crowds in Minneapolis (June 8, 2008)
  3. Cost: $234 millionThe New York Times: Bridge Construction Draws Crowds in Minneapolis (June 8, 2008)
  4. Project manager: Peter SandersonThe New York Times: Bridge Construction Draws Crowds in Minneapolis (June 8, 2008)
  5. Should last 100 yearsThe New York Times: Bridge Construction Draws Crowds in Minneapolis (June 8, 2008)

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