"It could have easily been you": 15 years later, memory of 35W bridge collapse lingers on
MINNEAPOLIS -- Monday marks 15 years since the collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis. It happened just after 6 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2007, during a busy commute time.
Thirteen people died and 145 more were injured. It took just seconds to impact hundreds of Minnesotans. One of the busiest bridges in our state suddenly gone.
"You kind of wondered if it was someone you knew and it could have easily been you," said John Butler.
It seems like everyone has a story about that day. A friend or a loved one who just missed being on the bridge, or was directly impacted by the collapse. For me, it was my first day on air at WCCO, a day I'll never forget.
John Butler was driving home from work when the bridge collapsed. Now retired, he helps pull weeds at the 35W Memorial at Gold Medal Park.
"It's good that it's here, and it's good to remember the vulnerability we have," said Butler.
Rachel Flynn was only 6 years old and riding in a car with her grandma when she heard the news.
"I just remember her shock and how traumatic the series of events was," said Flynn.
Brent Williams was a college student who remembers being worried about his dad, a firefighter.
"Depending on how big the response is, is he going to get pulled in? Is he going to have to be a part of that kind of thing?"
The response was immediate. The investigation was thorough. Faulty gusset plates were to blame. It led to bridge investigations across the country and the design of a new 35W bridge.
Casey Skeide says she thinks of the collapse whenever she drives across the bridge. So does Samantha Willis. She was 10 years old on Aug. 1, 2007. It's given her a new perspective on infrastructure in our state.
"I remember it shocked the whole world," said Willis. "In Minnesota there is construction all summer long, everyone hates it, but if you think about this it's a good reminder of what's going on and why it's happening."
More than 100 vehicles were involved in the collapse. They, along with 18 construction workers, fell as far as 115 feet into the river below, or onto its banks.