Admin

One Year Ago

By
Real Estate Agent with Tangletown Realty

35W Bridge Early Reconstruction

EARLY STAGES OF 35W BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION

Just one year ago today the unthinkable happened in Minneapolis.  The 35W bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed taking many cars to the depths of the river with it.  Disbelief showed on the faces of local residents.  Emergency call operators found the messages they were hearing hard to believe.  Lives were forever changed, some through loss, and others through survival. 

Minnesotans showed their tenacity in this tragedy.  There was no looting.  There was no pillaging.  Complete strangers risked their lives to help those who were trapped, some at the risk of their own lives.  People from all walks of life worked side by side, the attorneys in training beside the blue collar construction guys.  There was a goal:  save as many as possible by doing whatever it took to get the job done.  They all pitched together showing problem solving skills, cooperation, heroism, and Minnesota's ability to bounce back.

The tragedy was, and is, real, but I am proud of the way Minnesotans rallied to the cause and started the road to recovery on the day the road collapsed.

 

 

Comments(6)

Show All Comments Sort:
Henry Birchfield
Henry's Drafting and Design Services - Winchester, KY

Yeah it is amazing how we can come together as one in a time of a tradgy but it is also so sad it takes one for us to help a neighbor. If we could come together everyday like that, during a tradgy, this country and world can be a better place for us all to live.

Jul 31, 2008 06:50 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thank you for sharing this, Bonnie. I was at Blogggers Connect in San Francisco last year when this happened, adn being there agin this year reminded me, again, of this terrible tragdy.

Jeff

Aug 01, 2008 01:53 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Bonnie...Just today, the 3rd, there was an article about one of the survivors of the bridge collapse.  His name is Garrett Ebling and he was formerly from Stafford County near Fredericksubrg, Virginia.

The article mentioned a non profit Web sit, caringbridge.org, which provides free sites for people to keep updated on the medical condition of loved ones.

I am happy to see that the bridge is being reconstructed and hopefully the survivors are making a recovery also.

Kate

Aug 03, 2008 02:44 PM
Bonnie Erickson
Tangletown Realty - Saint Paul, MN

Kate,  The website is helpful, but it's even more poignant when one knows a survivor in person.  The initial survival was well applauded, but most have suffered longer term physical and emotional issues.  The medical expenses alone are  mind boggling for some.

As to the reconstruction, I really suspected the bridge would be completed for the Republican National Convention, but I don't think they're going to make it in time.  Since the RNC is such a big deal, it wouldn't have surprised me if there were huge incentive clauses built in the contract.  The work has proceeded 24/7 with flood lights assisting those working nights.  Workers have been shipped in from far and yon to speed the process.

Aug 04, 2008 04:17 AM
Tracy Santrock
Santrock Realty Group Inc. , - Cary, NC
Raleigh - Cary Broker

Hi Bonnie,

Happy New Year!  What a tragedy!  We don't want to forget about what happened but it's great that the bridge is being reconstructed!

 

Jan 01, 2010 04:33 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Bonnie,

I was looking for info on this tragedy, and came upon your post.  Are you still blogging in the Rain?

Mike in Tucson

May 15, 2010 04:13 PM