HUGE Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis

[83-Steelers-43]

Major Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River
Wednesday, August 01, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS — The I-35W highway bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during rush hour Wednesday, sending many cars and motorists into the water.

Authorities tell Fox News that there are between 20- 30 people in the river while witnesses told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that at least 20 cars may have been involved.

Tons of concrete have collapsed and survivors are being carried up the riverbank. Both the northbound and southbound lanes of 35W are lying in the Mississippi River, according to WCCO-com.

There are multiple cars still in the river and a couple cars on fire. According to one witness, there was a school bus full of children on the bridge, according to reports.

Click here to the see live report on MyFoxTwinCities.com.

The bridge near University Avenue connects downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota.

The entire span of the 35W bridge collapsed about 6:05 p.m. where the freeway crosses the river near University Avenue.

Some people are stranded on parts of the bridge that aren't completely in the water.

A tractor-trailer is on fire at the collapse scene.

Star-tribune.com reported that workers have been improving the 40-year-old bridge’s surface as part of repairs to that part of the interstate.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291790,00.html

This is just a small section of the bridge.

[83-Steelers-43]

This is unbelievable. I'm watching it on FOX news right now. The bridge is enormous and it made a domino effect when it collapsed. Homeland security is paying close attention but they believe that it is not terrorist related. They were doing construction underneath the bridge at the time of the collapse. It's making me sick to my stomach. One guy stated that the collapse literally cut his car in half. Cars are piled on top of cars.

My thoughts and prayers are with those people, rescue workers and the families. This is just horrible.

[The Duke]

Oh boy, this doesn't look good

[83-Steelers-43]

[83-Steelers-43]

One confirmed dead at this point.

[SteelCityMan786]

Originally Posted by 83-Steelers-43

One confirmed dead at this point.

Prayers to the family. This is very tragic. Hopefully everyone else gets out alive.

[j-dawg]

how tragic... i'm hearing about construction work under the bridge... but man, during rush hour... gezz.

[SteelCityMan786]

Originally Posted by j-dawg

how tragic... i'm hearing about construction work under the bridge... but man, during rush hour... gezz.

You'd think this might take place during the middle portions of the day and they would close the lanes on top of where they're working.

[83-Steelers-43]

They are going to hold a news conference at 9:30.

[SteelCityMan786]

Originally Posted by 83-Steelers-43

They are going to hold a news conference at 9:30.

Hopefully they give us all the details, not just the halfs.