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until reconstruction? Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota said the bridge was not due for reconstruction until 2020.

So, here we have a bridge that has corrosion, structural deficiency and deterioration in its inspection reports, and it is not due for major reconstruction until 2020? Who is to blame for that one?

And, the problem does not stop there with the collapsed 35W bridge. Again, according to Minnesota's DOT website, "In Minnesota, there are 1,097 bridges that are considered structurally deficient and that have a sufficiency rating less than or equal to 80. Of these bridges, 106 are on the state trunk highway system and 991 are on the local system."

Ouch. Does that make you want to drive over a bridge anytime soon? That is 1,097 bridges that are "deficient;" and, that is just in Minnesota! I heard a report about another bridge in Minnesota that is in WORSE condition than the 35W bridge, that spans the Saint Croix River over into Wisconsin.

According to a link on Wikipedia.com about this bridge, an employee at NTSB, who graduated from the University of Minnesota, wrote his doctoral thesis on the possible failure scenarios of the 35W bridge. Apparently, the NTSB is now using this report in their investigation.

Why was the report not considered earlier? Could this have been prevented?

I also remember a college student who years ago, for a class project, devised a computer program detailing the nation's infrastructure. Apparently, the Department of Homeland Security did not like that idea; and I believe they arrested him for this particular program, calling it a threat to national security.

I wonder what they are thinking now?

Is the United States going to learn the lesson from the 35W bridge collapse? What is going to change now that this has happened?

Unfortunately, it seems that tragedy has to strike before major attention is paid.

That is a sad thought.

Learn more about this author, Luke Rasmussen.
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