I-35W Bridge in Minnesota reopens

14 months after it collapsed and three months ahead of schedule, the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis reopened this morning.
               
Just before dawn and just in time for morning rush hour in Minneapolis, the new I-35 bridge reopened this morning after looking like this just over a year ago, when the bridge over the Mississippi collapsed August 1st, 2007.

13 people died; dozens of others were injured.

Earlier this week, at the dedication of the new bridge, survivor Paul Johnson shared those horrific moments with a fellow survivor.

Paul Johnson says “I saw that whole bridge go right down. (Other survivor) ‘Yea, that was my vision, too. After it stopped, did you have that complete silence for like 3 to 5 seconds after where it was complete silence?‘ Oh yea! I stopped, and I said ‘My God, I can’t believe it’s happening.“

In reconstructing the bridge, designers went for function over form or fashion and everybody wanted everything done fast.

The contractor now gets some $20 million extra for finishing some 100 days early.

Minnesota Representative John Kline says “I’m something of an optimist, but I have to admit that I did not think we would be standing here in this short of time.“

And, on the eve of the re-opening the bridge, Congress, this week, took another step to set aside $1 billion for shoring up bridges across the country.

Hopefully, as fast as they’ve done it in Minneapolis.