The new I35W Bridge in Minneapolis, MN opened just a few weeks ago, on September 18th, after the collapse of the previous bridge last year. I drove over it the first day it was opened (see photo), and I've driven over it several times since.
Several of my friends have asked what it was like (one from California was visiting the day it opened and drove over it, too). To be honest, I felt like I really had to psych myself up for it. Then, before I really even realized it, I was actually on it. What's the saying...? "The only thing to fear is fear itself?"
As I continued on down the freeway (I made a special trip just to drive the bridge) I tried to figure out if I felt triumphant. I wasn't anywhere near the bridge the day it collapsed, still it shook all of us figuratively. I expected a surge of relief, but it never really came.
I'm thankful the new bridge is open. I hope it gives some closure to many of us, and I do think we feel more connected as a community now - but I don't know if that is because the new bridge is open, or if it because the previous bridge is gone, and we survived it.
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