Bridges

August 4, 2007 -- MR. STANZEL: Good morning, everyone. We are on our way to Minneapolis, Minnesota, obviously to view the damage and the collapse of the 35W bridge. I have a statement by the President about the debate on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. I'll read that statement, then we're lucky to be joined today by Secretary Mary Peters, Secretary of Transportation, and she can give you a sense of what's going on on the ground there in Minnesota.    » read more »

August 02, 2007 -- Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today offered Wisconsin's full assistance to Minnesota state officials following the tragic collapse of the interstate bridge over the Mississippi River yesterday evening.

"Wisconsin is pledging its full support and assistance to the state of Minnesota during this horrible tragedy," Governor Doyle said. "We will do anything we can to aid Minnesota officials as they continue to deal with this crisis. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this disaster."    » read more »

August 2, 2007 -- Chris Gregoire:

“On behalf of all Washingtonians, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those who were killed in the Minnesota bridge collapse. I have contacted Governor Pawlenty to express our sympathy during this time and offer whatever help they may need.

“Safety is always my top priority with regard to our roads and bridges. While we do not know the cause of the collapse in Minnesota, this is a reminder to everyone in the country that infrastructure is important.    » read more »

Salt Lake City - Utah Governor Jon Huntsman has directed the Utah Department of Transportation to begin a comprehensive review of Utah bridges in light of the tragic situation in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

"The well-being of all Utahns is my top priority," Governor Huntsman said. "I hope all citizens will feel confident that the roads and bridges in Utah are safe for travel and well-maintained."    » read more »

Governor Notes His Plans to Spend Tobacco Money on Roads & Bridges; DOT Already Conducting Review of Investments Needed in RI Bridges; DOT to Again Review Safety of ‘Structurally Deficient’ Bridges

Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri today issued the following statement regarding the collapse of a highway bridge in Minnesota, and about the current safety of bridges throughout Rhode Island.    » read more »

August 2, 2007 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today issued the following statement regarding the collapse of an interstate bridge in Minneapolis:

“We extend our sympathy to the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy in Minnesota and our prayers to those who were injured. Obviously, as Governor Pawlenty said, this is a tragedy of historic proportions for the state of Minnesota and all of us empathize with the victims and their families.

“What happened in Minnesota is something that has to give us pause in Pennsylvania and every state in the union.    » read more »

Aug. 2, 2007 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today directed the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive inspection of key New Mexico bridges as a result of the tragic bridge collapse on I-35 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“Today, I have directed our bridge inspection teams to immediately review the safety of four steel-truss bridges in New Mexico that have a similar construction to the bridge in Minneapolis,” Governor Bill Richardson said.    » read more »

8/2/2007 -- (HELENA) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer today asked Montana Department of Transportation Director Jim Lynch for a report on Montana bridges. "In light of the bridge collapsing in Minnesota today, I wanted to make sure we are doing all we can to ensure folks are safe in Montana," said Governor Schweitzer.

Montana has a very aggressive bridge inspection program. Bridges are inspected every two years. "We have full-time bridge inspectors," said Director Lynch. "They work hard everyday to ensure that our bridges are safe and structurally sound."    » read more »

August 2, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Following last night’s bridge collapse in Minnesota, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt directed transportation officials to immediately inspect all bridges of similar design in Missouri. In addition, officials at the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC), a state of the art cooperative resource Blunt created, have been in contact with Minnesota officials to evaluate risks and impact to the Mississippi River and state shorelines.    » read more »

Orders State agencies to necessary assistance to help local, state and federal units of government

August 2, 2007 -- Saint Paul - Minnesota Governor Pawlenty signed an emergency executive order today declaring a peacetime emergency and activating the State Emergency Operations Center. The Governor has directed all State agencies to provide necessary assistance to help local, state and federal units of government respond and recover from the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.    » read more »

August 2, 2007 -- AUGUSTA – In light of the tragedy yesterday in Minneapolis, Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today addressed the bridge safety situation in Maine.

“I want to reassure the people of Maine that bridges in the state are safe,” said Governor Baldacci.

The Governor said that the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) maintains its own federally approved and certified bridge inspection program. All bridges, including local structures, are inspected by the department every two years. On an as-needed basis, bridges are inspected every year.    » read more »

August 03, 2007 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Following Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher’s directive, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is taking immediate steps to ensure the safety and structural integrity of Kentucky bridges. The Governor issued the mandate to the KYTC following the tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

Thorough reviews and additional safety inspections of the state’s aging bridges are key elements of the cabinet’s commitment to meet and exceed bridge safety standards.    » read more »

Governor reassures Kentuckians that ‘our bridges are safe’

August 02, 2007 -- FRANKFORT Ky. – Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher is asking Kentuckians to remember the victims of Wednesday’s tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota and is reassuring the public that Kentucky’s bridges are safe.

“This is a time of great sorrow for the people of Minnesota,” said Governor Fletcher. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who were involved in this tragedy. Clearly, such a tragedy calls on us to be sure Kentucky’s bridges are safe.”    » read more »

August 02, 2007 -- (Des Moines) Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver has instructed Iowa Department of Transportation Director Nancy Richardson to conduct an immediate review of the safety of Iowa bridges. Specifically, the Governor has asked Director Richardson to do the following:

1. Review all information related to recent bridge inspections and provide the Governor with a briefing on the overall safety of Iowa bridges;    » read more »

August 5, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced a new $100 million “Safe and Sound” plan to speed up high priority bridge repair and replacement projects over the next two years.

“There is a lesson to be learned from the recent tragedy in Minneapolis. We must take aggressive action now, during this construction season, to accelerate the repair, replacement and maintenance of our bridges,” Governor Rell said. “We want to be sure our bridges are safe and sound, and putting key repairs off until next season is unacceptable.    » read more »