|
|
Article: BRIDGE COLLAPSE: THE FINAL REPORT; WHY IT FELL; THE NTSB FINDINGS; Bridge's fatal flaw: Gusset plates, but other factors cited in collapse.(NEWS)
- Article from:
- Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
- Article date:
- November 14, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Star Tribune Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Byline: KEVIN DIAZ; STAFF WRITER
WHY IT FELL
1 When the I-35W bridge was built, the gusset plates that were used to hold the steel beams together were not the right size. 2 As a result, the bridge could not withstand increasing traffic loads and other stresses, including construction equipment on the deck. 3 Corrosion did not contribute to the collapse on Aug. 1, 2007, but "it is a source of concern," the NTSB said.
WASHINGTON Federal investigators probing the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis said Thursday that the structure was heavily loaded with construction equipment -- equivalent to the weight of a 747 airplane -- hours before a set of ...