New I-35W Bridge opens in Minneapolis (9/18/08)

[jglei701 8]

You can follow the info on the new bridge at the MN DOT website:

http://projects.dot.state.mn.us/35wbridge/index.html

I'm a bit of a road geek and have followed road construction throughout Wisconsin (where I used to live) and Illinois (where I live now). I have also followed this bridge for, though I hadn't used this bridge to my recollection, I have been to the Twin Cities occasionally and I don't see that much difference between this bridge and bridges that I HAVE used. I really felt (and continue to feel) for my Midwestern cousins across the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. Though the Midwestern states have friendly rivalries with our sports teams, it's all in jest... because we really ARE all very much alike!

With the recent flooding in Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Minnesota, several radio stations from cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, the Twin Cities, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Cedar Falls got together under a plan by the McCormick foundation to help those in the other states in their times of need. So people from these mostly urban areas were able to donate money to contribute to their neighbors. It was a great show of support for those in need.

One thing to take into consideration with the construction of the bridge is that 1) there was a lot of cleanup that had to be done. Before any construction could be done, the area had to be cleaned first. 2) There was a lot of set-up work that had to be done. The approaches to the bridge had to be rebuilt based on the new design. 3) While the bridge was "under construction" for the whole year, they weren't doing things like pouring concrete the entire time (because of the reasons stated above). I got email updates about the construction, and they DID start pouring on Jan 14th. Main span construction began on Feb 1st. Interestingly, by March 14th, they had poured about half of the concrete that would be poured for the entire project, because so much had to go into the bridge footings and abutments. The bridge span itself is actually a hollow shell made largely of precast pieces that were then drawn together with tensioning cables. On April 4th, they started on the superstructure, and on May 28th, they placed the first pair of main-span segments. On July 16th, they closed up the final small gap between the cantilevers on the northern span, and as of last week, they had poured the final gap in the southern span. I usually get updates about every Monday or so, so we'll see if it comes tomorrow!

[confused04 14]

415 days after the complete collapse of the I35 W bridge that resulted in 13 fatalities and 145 injuries the new St. Anthony Falls Bridge opened this morning to somber celebration. With just 11 months, this bridge has been completed in record time despite temperatures ranging from -25 to near 100 F. It is nice to finally have one of the busiest bridges in Minnesota to be reopened.

Its nice to see a very simple bridge that I personally think is decently elegant and at least it was painted snow white. The first one hundred cars to cross the 35 W bridge this morning received a $25 gas card. I haven't taken the bridge yet (its somewhat out of my way). But traffic should FINALLY return to normal.

News Story

Additionally... after 5 years....

1,000 posts!!

[belfastuniguy 18]

The new bridge does look rather elegant. Thanks for the link

[xV.I.N.C.E.N.T.x 0]

Making me think another one happened again....hmm....

Title of post neeeds to be changed

[IDS2 3,453]

xVINCENTx: Got it, I'll change it.

Finally open! Pretty quick actually, just over a year, amazing for a project that big.