Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

Minneapolis approves plans for new 35W bridge

by Toni Randolph, Minnesota Public Radio

The Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously Friday to give municipal consent to the state's plan for replacing the collapsed I-35W bridge.

Minneapolis, Minn. — Council approval was needed in order for the reconstruction plan to move forward.

Sandy Colvin Roy, who chairs the council's Transportation and Public Works Committee, says the council wanted several features to be part of a new bridge, including the capacity to add mass transit and commuter lanes.

"When we take a look at those principles, we achieved everything. We have a bridge structure that really will take us into the future," said Roy. "This package will mean a bridge for the future built from the shards of a disaster."

Roy says the construction plan will also ease congestion on Washington St. during rush-hour traffic and after events at the Metrodome.

Thirteen people died when the bridge fell on Aug. 1. An investigation into the collapse is continuing. State officials hope to have a new bridge in place by the end of next year.