Recovery Suspended; Inspections Ordered
The fast-moving waters of the Mississippi River have hampered the recovery efforts at the collapsed bridge in the center of Minneapolis, and the operations have been suspended. Also, Governor Tim Pawlenty ordered fresh inspections of all state bridges with similar construction:
Divers were pulled from the murky and fast-moving waters of the Mississippi River Thursday afternoon before any bodies could be recovered from the wreckage of Wednesday's I-35W bridge collapse.At about the same time, Gov. Tim Pawlenty ordered an immediate inspection of all Minnesota bridges that have a design like the one that collapsed Wednesday in Minneapolis. Pawlenty said he did not know how many bridges have that design. ...
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lowered the water level of the Mississippi by about 1 foot today in an attempt to give emergency workers better access to vehicles at the site of the bridge. The initial plan called for divers to approach four submerged cars that were clear of the ruined bridge. But the current and debris didn’t allow divers to get close to those cars.
The water level was adjusted by opening some of the roller gates downstream at the Ford dam, said Shannon Bauer, a Corps spokesperson. The dam controls the amount of water -- called a pool -- in the stretch of river where the bridge fell.
The drawdown began to create some turbulence at the rescue site, so it was temporarily suspended. In the early afternoon, they continued to lower the water level by one more foot.
Actually, the Mississippi River has a lower level than normal anyway, thanks to a bit of a drought in the Upper Midwest. That won't last, though; we're expecting thunderstorms and steady rain this weekend, starting tomorrow night. If the rain comes down in sufficient volume and force, it could mean big problems for the recovery efforts in the river.
The Congressional delegation which returned to Minnesota overnight has pledged to gain funding for a quick rebuilding effort. The bridge formed part of the federal interstate system, and the state's representatives united to request more than $100 million in emergency construction funds to get a fast start. Norm Coleman still warns that, even with emergency funding, it could take two years to replace the bridge and restore service to the core of the city.
While the number of confirmed dead remains at four, the number of injured has increased to 79. Police warn that a number of dead remain in the river, so we can expect bad news over the next few days. The number of missing has increased to 30, which sounds rather ominous, as that predicts what the final number of dead will be.
Until they can figure out how to beat the current, though, nothing can be determined. The normal current gets amplified as it passes through the debris, and it also creates eddies and patterns that put the divers in peril. They may have to raise some of the debris before the divers can get to the cars, but that will create all sorts of other dangers.
I'll have more as it develops.
UPDATE: Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) will introduce a bill tomorrow authorizing $250 million for the construction of a replacement bridge. (via The Corner)
Posted by Ed Morrissey on August 2, 2007 3:52 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (0)
Comments (8)
Posted by RN | August 2, 2007 5:13 PM
Following the earthquake in the early 1990's then California Gov Pete Wilson over-road existing "contract bids legislation" and let the contract to the contractor(s) who met all gov't standards and could get the bridges up and operating in the fastest time. Worked then...why not do the same now!
Posted by Duke DeLand | August 2, 2007 6:18 PM
Ed,
Our prayers for those whose families have missing members. Our prayers of thanks also for those who managed a narrow escape.
To think we were slated to cross the bridge in our motorhome tomorrow.....Despite re-routes of our vacation, eliminating a Minneapolis visit, this points to a situation which makes us all more aware. I read of your immediate contacts to family members. Several of ours, not sure of our exact schedule, called us to make sure we were OK.
Gave us a bit of a thoughtful moment as today we trundled across the Mackinaw Straits bridge in high winds.
Bless your people in Minneapolis, and may a number of the "missing" turn up!
Duke DeLand
Posted by Trash Dispatch: | August 2, 2007 8:35 PM
I hope you don't mind, but I had just published a story about the terrors of a Rescue Diver, and then I read your story. You may remove my link if you wish, of course, but if you have never been diving, or if you would like to know just what goes through the mind of a Rescue Diver, http://trashdispatch.blogspot.com/2007/08/scuba-diving-searching-for-bodies-under.html
Posted by burt | August 2, 2007 8:54 PM
"Also, Governor Tim Pawlenty ordered fresh inspections of all state bridges with similar construction."
They should start with other bridges having some of the same people (engineers, construction companies, building inspectors, politicos) involved as were involved in the collapsed bridge.
Posted by Gary Goodmundson | August 2, 2007 11:10 PM
Obviously, opening the gates at the FORD dam created too much flow around the bridge debris. Close off the FORD dam just before sunrise and the current should recede even if the water level rises a bit.
Posted by davod | August 3, 2007 6:01 AM
The basic infrastructure of this country has been deteriorating for a long time. It is easy to put off what you cannot see.
What is this 50% means the bridge needs replacing? I heard the Governor say yesterday that technically (based upon its technical inspections) the bridge was not due to be replaced for a number of years.
Please stop with the deficient therefore it must be replaced crap. Deficient is a term used by the bridge engineers (I would like to know how long they have been using the term). It does not mean that every bridge listed as deficient needs to be replaced.
The following 1995 report provides some background information: Bridge Research Leading the way to the futurek
Posted by davod | August 3, 2007 6:06 AM
Surely, there are alternate routes. If not, is the military in a position to set up temporary bridging?
Posted by Artie Curtis | August 3, 2007 7:10 AM
In an earlier post, it was noted that $3.07 billion dollars in earmarks were in the defense appropriations bill.
Three billion could fix a lot of bridges, but it wouldnt assure Murtha and the other pork kings their seats.