August 17, 2007

  • I signed up for email updates from MN Dot on the 35W bridge.  At the public comment section I left the following comment on the 35W bridge rebuilding.

    http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/rebuild/comment.html

    I used the 35W bridge for three or four trips per week.  I strongly support your effort to rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible.  I consider light rail provisions to be a very bad idea.  I light rail is desired they could use the #9 bridge downstream from the 35W bridge for a light rail crossing. 

    As for a design of the replacement bridge I propose using large underside steel beams like those used on the nearby I-94 crossing.  The same basic design but with peirs out of the water.  A few years back the i-94 bridge was widened by adding more of these underside beams.  You would have this option with the replacement 35W bridge.

    I just checked and the locks at the Ford Dam are 400 feet long.  http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/navigation/default.asp?pageid=145&subpageid=146  I believe this is longer that the “water” span of the 35W “footprint”.  This is critcal because it would allow the manufacture and prefarication of these nearly 400 foot steel beams anywhere on the Missississippi or it’s navigatable tributaries.  This might greatly speed up the rebuilding of the bridge.