# Interstate 35W bridge collapses in Minneapolis - Everyone ok? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 2, 2007, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058 "2007-08-02T00:10:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kakofonous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9a140/32.png) [@Kakofonous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kakofonous)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/41 "2007-08-02T01:32:55Z")
[QUOTE=Zjestika] I’m okay. Me & a friend were at an asian food store and all the lights went out. We walked to the local co-op and heard the news. It was surreal, and still is. [/QUOTE] Which asian store? Are utilities out in the area? I’m trying to get ahold of a few people in the Marcy/Holmes area just north west of there but don’t want to contribute to cell congestion but none of them are online. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/42 "2007-08-02T01:34:14Z")
Wow, that’s got to be one crazy time. Let’s hope nobody else gets hurt or killed. ---
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/43 "2007-08-02T01:34:23Z")
United Noodle. The power’s back up in Seward, though. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/44 "2007-08-02T01:35:53Z")
[QUOTE=Giles] So, it’s a big bridge because it’s a big river. [/QUOTE] It looks more narrow and turbulent than I’ve seen it at Memphis. ---
**Author:** ![Kakofonous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9a140/32.png) [@Kakofonous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kakofonous)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/45 "2007-08-02T01:38:28Z")
[QUOTE=Zjestika] United Noodle. The power’s back up in Seward, though. [/QUOTE] Thanks. I’ll give it some time - I wouldn’t be surprised if things are out in that area. Most of them live quite near the east bank side of the stone arch bridge. ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/46 "2007-08-02T01:39:20Z")
Well, there’s a waterfall just upstream from the bridge. They’re trying to shut down the water flow from the dam to aid construction efforts. Except now a thunderstorm seems to be rolling in. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/47 "2007-08-02T01:41:19Z")
:eek: Man, that’s scary. There was a bridge collapse in Quebec not long ago, but nothing like this… that’s a freakin’ major bridge! I wonder whether the fact that it’s the hottest day of the year had something to do with it? Maybe something expanded just a bit too far and fell off its support? ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/48 "2007-08-02T01:42:42Z")
**Carnivorous Plant** : It has about 4 times the cross-sectional area at Memphis, and the running slope is flatter. That’s why it’s more tranquil at Memphis. Here’s another [slideshow](http://www.startribune.com/10136/gallery/1338445.html) of the truss. In the first picture you can kinda see how it twisted out. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/49 "2007-08-02T01:43:37Z")
I drove over that bridge just a few minutes before it collapsed. Holy shit. ---
**Author:** ![Brainiac4](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brainiac4/32/3534_2.png) [@Brainiac4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac4)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/50 "2007-08-02T01:43:49Z")
[QUOTE=fessie] Holee Crap! **Dangerosa** , you OK? [/QUOTE] Yes, she is. I called and told her about it. She’s in Oklahoma City and the kids are in ND. Me and the dog are safe here at home. And right now, I’m calling all my team members at work to make sure they’re okay. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/51 "2007-08-02T01:45:17Z")
Thankfully, it looks like the thunderstorm has petered out for now. At least we won’t have that adding to the chaos. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/52 "2007-08-02T01:45:26Z")
Do they have traffic cams at the bridge? ---
**Author:** ![Kakofonous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9a140/32.png) [@Kakofonous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kakofonous)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/53 "2007-08-02T01:47:40Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord] Do they have traffic cams at the bridge? [/QUOTE] I think there were some at the University Ave exit. ---
**Author:** ![Most\_Creative\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Most\_Creative\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Most_Creative_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/54 "2007-08-02T01:48:47Z")
This has me freaked out. I’m a MN doper, and don’t live in the cities but have a TON of relatives that do…waiting to hear from Ma to see if they are ok. Figure better for one person to send emails… I can’t tell you how many times I have driven over that bridge myself… ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/55 "2007-08-02T01:49:08Z")
Scary. The collapse of our [Sunshine Skyway Bridge](http://www.francesfarmersrevenge.com/stuff/bridges/skyway.htm) in 1980 still haunts me. I was terrified of that bridge before the freighter hit it, it was even worse afterwards. The replacement is 100 times better but still scares the crap out of me. I hope the casualties in Minneapolis are low. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/56 "2007-08-02T01:49:23Z")
I work about 3 miles away. Been watching it on the news now and again when I can stop for a brief break. One of our day shift people called in to notify us. Holy Shit. It’s going to take **YEARS** to rebuild that thing and traffic is going to be seriously fucked for that entire time. Good thing it’s an Interstate bridge, because I think the state would have a serious hard time dealing with that on it’s own. Unless they somehow combined it with a new stadium for the Vikings… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/57 "2007-08-02T01:51:49Z")
[QUOTE=Chimera] It’s going to take **YEARS** to rebuild that thing and traffic is going to be seriously fucked for that entire time. [/QUOTE] I know this is going to sound callous, but it will fuck with traffic for quite some time. There will be the forensic work to figure out what happened, debris removal, and then the actual construction of the replacement. Thank goodness this happened in the summer. Cold water would have been way worse for the victims and the rescuers. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/58 "2007-08-02T01:52:31Z")
[QUOTE=Tastes of Chocolate] Thankfully, it looks like the thunderstorm has petered out for now. At least we won’t have that adding to the chaos. [/QUOTE] _pfft_ We NEED the rain. BADLY. In case you haven’t noticed, there is a serious drought going on around us. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/59 "2007-08-02T01:54:57Z")
Dio, wow. I totally forgot that you lived in Roseville. Your commute is about to turn really bad. I’m just a couple blocks away at the U, and I bike in, thankfully. But that is one major traffic link, and I can’t really think about any real good alternatives for you. 280 to University will be pretty bad, but what alternatives will you have? Ouch. This is going to effect traffic in the area for years. ---
**Author:** ![Kakofonous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9a140/32.png) [@Kakofonous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kakofonous)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058/60 "2007-08-02T01:58:20Z")
[QUOTE=NurseCarmen] Dio, wow. I totally forgot that you lived in Roseville. Your commute is about to turn really bad. I’m just a couple blocks away at the U, and I bike in, thankfully. But that is one major traffic link, and I can’t really think about any real good alternatives for you. 280 to University will be pretty bad, but what alternatives will you have? Ouch. This is going to effect traffic in the area for years. [/QUOTE] The U sent out an email with the options in early June. 280 to 94 is what they’re pushing. I know people that are using 35W to Broadway/Stinson and then into downtown / U area and they’re claiming it wasn’t too bad but that area clearly can’t handle much of an increase. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interstate-35w-bridge-collapses-in-minneapolis-everyone-ok/414058.md?page=4)