I-35w Bridge collapsesFollow

Any of you in miniapolis?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5019944.html

Aug. 1, 2007, 7:35PM
Minneapolis bridge collapse sends cars into river
Motorists being rescued after freeway span falls during evening rush hour


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ENTIRE SPAN COLLAPSES
Bridge collapse MINNEAPOLIS — The Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed during the evening rush hour today, dumping at least eight cars and a truck into the water and onto the land below, creating a horrific scene of damage, fire, smoke, injuries, frantic rescuers and terrified motorists.

It was not clear how many people might be hurt or killed, but witnesses said at least 20 cars were involved.

The crumpled green wreckage of the bridge lay on the east bank of the river, and a huge section of concrete roadway lay on the west bank. Down below in the river gorge, rescue workers scrambled to help people on the roadway that now lay in the gorge. Fires burned and black smoke rose billowed the wreckage.

Workers have been repairing the 40-year-old bridge's surface as part of improvements along that stretch of the interstate.

Rescue workers were helping some people from cars in the river onto land.

People at the scene said the entire bridge collapsed, leaving part of the roadway submerged and part above water.

A number of people were walking around on the roadway that was not submerged.

Ramon Houge of St. Paul, Minn., was on his way home from work at Wells Fargo and was driving on the bridge when heard a rumbling noise, saw the ground collapse and cars go down.

He said cars backed up as best they could and he parked in a construction zone and was finally able to turn around and drive off the bridge. "It didn't seem like it was real," he said.

Traffic was bumper to bumper and hundreds of people would have been involved, he said, adding that he saw kids on a bus with blood on their faces.

Sarah Fahnhorst, who lives in an apartment a block away from the bridge, heard a huge thud and then "the entire building shook. It shook the ground."

This is pretty horrid. Mpls is my hometown. I know too many people there.

I know the feeling.

Right now there is a thunderstorm coming in fast and hard. I live about 5 miles SW of the bridge, and to the north is a black wall of clouds and noise. That can only make things complicated.

Yes, my grandma makes me call her Old Mommy, it's a Norwegian thing, supposedly.

Odd, my girlfriend makes me call her that and she's not Norwegian.

First off, it's Old Mommy, not Big Mommy, Nixnot. Second, your elders have clearly forsaken the home land, and deserve to have their remains turned into lutefisk, as custom demands.

Third, Smash, your girlfriend sounds hot.

Oofta.

Your source says you're wrong too, breeder.

Edited, Aug 1st 2007 7:45pm by NixNot

I've been a fan of the luffa for a long time as well. Not only does it soap well, it also exfoliates.

Smash has been divorced or whatever for.. umm... a long time now.

I think the most important thing we learned here is that Smash has a girlfriend.

I'll be bringing her to Allanois, since all the hot chicks will be paired up anyway.

Nexa! Tell us your mysterious boyfriend is not Smash!