In response to Mir and Vic...
Weather today: dry and hot - about 85 degrees (F) 30 (C). This would be so much worse if it had happened in the dead of winter.
Reactions: Well, we are hearing many survivor stories - people who fell 50 feet down, sliding into the river, a school bus with 60 kids who were thnakfully rescued. Many stories from people who helped and got help from each other. There were many heroes there last night.
Hospitals: North Hennepin (HCMC), the hostipal right by North Central and there are a couple of others.
Rescue: As far as I have heard, people are praising the first responders in Mpls. They were very quick and effecient, all possible resources were used to rescue people.
Recovery: The rescue operation has now changed to recovery. We still have about 20 people missing and they are starting work on pulling the vehicles out.
Rebuilding: It will take at least a year and maybe longer. This was a unique bridge, so they have to do a lot of investigating as to why things went wrong. The bridge was scheduled for a major overahaul in 2020. So, this was a big surprise. This will affect a lot of people everyday and cripple traffic for months to come.
Personal note: Jonas and I went on a boatride on the Mississippi last Sunday and we went under all the Minneapolis bridges on the Mississippi. I even confessed to doing something not-so-legal when we were passing the 35W bridge. In college, about 10 years ago, a bunch of friends and I climbed under this bridge. The views over the river and of downtown Mpls were breathtaking. I just can't believe it's gone.
5 comments:
A report was filed in 2005 that mentioned structural deficiencies in the brigde The [safety] rating was 50 out of 120. They are saying that is a pretty bad score.
It is good to know that you two are ok. My heart is heavy for those families who are still waiting and for the families who already know they lost a loved one. Saying prayers that everyone be given the strength they need to get through this tragedy.
Thank you Shie for the update. It is so surreal that I sort of need to read things over and over, look at the pictures and hear new stories even to believe it.
I'm so relieved that you both are ok. Absolutely terrible accident.
Yeah I remember sneeking up there too....really surreal now that it is gone...
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