Being relatively familiar with the incident in question, I can tell you that this argument is complete and utter bullsh;t.
The I-35 bridge would not have been modified under any plan that existed at that time as the transportation funds necessary to bring it higher on the list of priorities were being allocated to inefficient, unsustainable and heavily subsidized light rail projects. Based on existing engineering specs it was identified as needing attention prior to the incident, but there was no sense of urgency as the design flaw was not known at the time. Had funds not been allocated to the local toy train set, it is possible that the modification recommended could have been made, but improbable as the funding for MNDOT would likely not have been allocated at all had it not been for federal matching transportation funds for light rail (which is another crock on its own).
It is a question of priorities, and in the great state of Minnesota the liberal legislature would rather cut off its left nut than de-fund (or even limit the growth in funding to inflationary increases) "social" programs. Sorry, but find something else to cry about. That one lies squarely on the shoulders of the state & federal legislators more interested in pet projects than crucial infrastructure.
