I have learned that most of the bridge resurface projects like the ill-fated Interstate 35W bridge usually have money within the contract for traffic control, often termed "detour money." So far, none of the people I've tried to talk to will confirm that there was detour money in the I35W contract or how much it might have been, but if there were the normal or usual amount slated for traffic control in the contract then the question becomes how was that money used?
If the I35W detour money was used for just flagmen, barricades, and cones will that same mistake be made on similar bridges when they are resurfaced or repaired, and what about money for traffic control on the soon to be open 10th Avenue bridge? The 10th Avenue bridge can only take local traffic at best. It just wasn't built to cope with all of I35W's traffic but is the MNDOT and the NTSB going to form a plan to keep the loading on the 10th Ave. bridge under control or are they just going to say "Here Minneapolis, here is some money and good luck?"
I hope somebody at MNDOT or NTSB will come out with a recommendation to use the detour money in bridge repair contracts for real detours or at the very least have a qualified member of their staff on site to ensure the bridges under repair are stable during the entire repair process.
I would have thought more news media would have been determined to find out why this bridge fell and how that imformation effects the other bridges we depend on, but it seems after the blood is washed away from a disaster the only thing the media is looking for is the next set of facts to confuse. I don't remember past reporters like Walter Cronkite showing that little concern for the good and safety of the public and I would hope the modern media would think more about their public. I hope the Minneapolis bridge has shown all of us that we can't take business as usual when it comes to bridge repair. The only problem with keeping the message of bridge loading and safety before the public officials is the fact that only 13 people died.
If you see an out of state driver backing down the on ramp shoulder of a local bridge under repair then chances are good it's me.