Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

State offers bonus for quick bridge replacement

by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the five companies hoping to land the I-35W bridge rebuilding project have less than three weeks to prepare a bid on the project. But the state is offering up $27 million if the bridge is finished early.

St. Paul, Minn. — MnDOT wants construction to begin on the new bridge on Oct. 15 2007, and to be finished by December 2008. The department is dangling incentives of up to $27 million if the work is finished three months ahead of schedule. There is also a penalty of $200,000 per day if the contractor doesn't finish on time.

MnDOT issued the request-for-proposals to the five teams of contractors that have already been given the ok to bid on the project. The due date for proposals is Sept. 10.

MnDOT is proposing a 10 lane bridge to replace the eight lane bridge that collapsed. MnDOT says the cost of the new bridge will be between $200 million and $250 million. Three more public forums have been scheduled for people to comment on the design.

They are:

--Tuesday, Aug. 28 at the McNamara Alumni Center on the (east bank) campus of the University of Minnesota from 4:30 - 7 p.m. The address is 200 Oak St., S.E. Minneapolis. The open house will be held in AI Johnson Room.

--Thursday, Aug. 30 at the Humphrey Institute Atrium (west bank) from 4:30 - 7 p.m. The open house will be held in the Atrium. The address is 301 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55455

--Wednesday, Sept. 5 at the IDS Center and the open house will be held in the Crystal Court from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The address is 80 South 8th St., Minneapolis.