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Tuesday, August 07, 2007 After collapse, roads become a priority By Steve Prinsen Area officials are applauding the efforts of first responders during last Wednesday's Interstate 35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, county and state officials are in agreement that infrastructure and more specifically transportation issues have risen to the forefront of the state's top priorities. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who up until last weekend was opposed to raising the state's gasoline tax, said over the weekend that he would break from tradition support it. District 18B Rep. Dean Urdahl and State Sen. Steve Dille, both republicans who pushed hard for transportation funding last spring as part of a large bill that included raising the state's gas tax, said action may come quickly, and late last week the governor's office said a special session could be called. Urdahl and Dille said that although last spring's proposed funding would not have prevented the collapse, the issue is part of a larger infrastructure problem. "It's terrible." Urdahl said, said of the Wednesday, Aug.1, disaster. "We need to evaluate how we evaluate bridges. The problem is the report said that this bridge was safe." Dille said a special legislative session, perhaps next month, is probable. On Sunday, Aug. 5, he was invited to be a part of one of the largest conference calls that he could remember - up to about 200 legislators. "That's never been done before," the longtime senator said. "I thought history would show that Dean and I were right (about transportation funding). But I didn't want or think something like this would happen to prove our point," Dille said. In May, both Dille in the Senate and Urdahl in the House voted in favor of a large transportation bill that was vetoed by Pawlenty. County sheriff's department helping The Wright County Sheriff's Department is assisting with the perimeter of the collapsed bridge, which traveled over the Mississippi River near downtown Minneapolis. They've helped since the accident. "We're sending six officers down each day," Wright County Sheriff Gary Miller said. Miller estimated that about 15 counties are helping out with law enforcement. "They put out the call and we responded." Miller credited the National Incident Management System for the quick action of first responders. Wright County is considering a similar system, he said. Miller said responders - from law enforcement to emergency personnel to citizens - did an incredible job. "We need to invest in infrastructure, not just for today, but for the future," he said. Annandale Fire Chief Brian Haag, who is a paramedic and has worked in the field for almost 20 years credited the first responders. "You train a lot for something like that in the metro area." No first responders were needed from the Annandale or South Have area. "They have plenty of resources. The best thing for us to do is stay out of their way." Haag said he felt for the first responders, calling the bridge collapse "a unique tragedy." "You think about what they're going through." The scale of the disaster is what makes the bridge collapse different, Haag said. "The procedures are the same in any accident; the things you do are the same" County's bridges safe Wright County Highway engineer Wayne Fingalson has been lobbying for more state road and infrastructure funding for years. "This is a wake-up call for a lot of people," he said. Fingalson said he was surprised by how the entire 35-W bridge collapsed. "Typically, one section might collapse." The county's bridges are safe, Fingalson said, with three of the approximately 100 being termed "structurally deficient" - two which may be replaced in the coming years. Inspections are performed regularly, and he estimated regulations will get more stringent. The three bridges in question in Wright County include one on County Road 75 near Monticello. It's tentatively scheduled for replacement in 2010. Another bridge on County State Aid Highway 40 near Clearwater could be replaced in 2009, and the other bridge is located northeast of Cokato on County State Aid Highway 35. Fingalson said the Twin Cities and Wright County needs infrastucture investment. "It shouldn't become a political issue, but there's only so much water you can put down a pipe," he said, referring to the Twin Cities' distinction as being one of the worst metropolitan areas for driving in terms of gridlock. On Sunday, the Star Tribune cited two area state bridges that have been deemed structurally deficient, a phrase that means the bridges may need replacement. Those state highway bridges include the Highway 12 bridge in Delano. The two-lane bridge over the south fork of the Crow River was built in 1922. The Highway 24 bridge over the north fork of the Crow River 10 miles northeast of Litchfield also made the list. That bridge was built in 1935. Statewide, 35 bridges meet the criteria of structurally deficient. Most of those are located in the metro and southeastern part of the state. Another bridge that is being scrutinized is the Desota Bridge or the Highway 23 bridge in St. Cloud. That has the same structure as the I-35 bridge that collapsed. The truss-style bridge was built in 1958 and overhauled in 1978. It's not listed as structurally deficient. Samuel Schwartz, former chief engineer of bridge safety of New York City, told the Star Tribune on Sunday, Aug. 5, "The worst period for bridge building is after World War II and especially in the 1960s." Eariler, engineers would double the strength needed for bridge decks and then double it again, he said. "After World War II we had mush finer calculations, and we believed we were overbuilding." Bridge maintenance has fallen to the states, counties and cities, and some have criticized the federal government for not funding infrastructure. Red Cross efforts The Red Cross doesn't need any volunteers at this point. It is asking that Minnesotans give blood. As of late last week, the Red Cross has provided more than 2,000 meals and more than 3,000 snacks to families and first responders on scene. Trained counselors will continue to provide comfort to those affected by this disaster. In the coming days and weeks, the Red Cross will work with community partners to identify resources that can aid in the recovery of individuals and families affected. A bloodmobile will be at the Playland Ballroom in Kimball from 1 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16. Walk-in are welcome or call the number listed for an appointment. Donors must be 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds. Clean-up efforts at the site began on Monday, Aug. 6, where five people are confirmed dead and several others missing. | ||||
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