History and the Future: the Implications of the I-35 Bridge Collapse

Four years ago, we had a Minnesota tragedy when the bridge collapsed.

In the interim, we've built a new bridge to replace it, and a memorial to the event which will be dedicated today.

There was some attempt after this tragedy to address the very worst, the most egregious potential bridges in poor repair, that were in danger of repeating the tragedy. To that extent, we had a good thing come out of this terrible event.  But we didn't do nearly enough.

Flags will fly at half-mast in Minnesota, by order of the Governor.

A few bridges, like the one in St. Cloud, the DeSoto bridge, were replaced before it could fall down like the I-35 bridge.  But we have many, many more bridges that are not in good repair, that are rated either functionally obsolete or dangerously structurally deficient.  We've had a few other bridges closed, or greatly restricted because of the latter rating, but not all of them.  A frightening number of bridges that need major repair, overhaul, or complete replacement continue to be in service.  An example of a few of those, a list which is by no means comprehensive, is listed HERE.

So while I commend Governor Dayton for remembering those who died, those who were injured, and those who responded heroically to save others in a disaster, flying a flag differently clearly, is not enough. It does not so far as I can see raise awareness of the terrible deterioration of our infrastructure, it does nothing to make a continuing unsafe situation more safe.