Thank god it didn't fall

I am absolutely horrified at the Star Tribune's report that MnDOT knew about rusted gusset plates on the Winona Bridge in 2007. An April 2007 inspection showed major damage. Some of the most damning discoveries include:

1. One of the gussets had rusted all the way through.
2. Pack rust was pushing some pieces of the bridge apart.
3. Inspectors noted that two of the bridge's bearings "are not functioning as designed."

I can understand not shutting the bridge down in April, when gusset plates were not widely considered to be a major problem. But in the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse, this bridge should have been closed immediately. MnDOT ordered new inspection after the collapse, but they had one that was only about four months old! This is a connection they would have required only a minimum of competence to make.

This is not meant to be a political attack. This particular incident was not Carol Molnau's fault or Tim Pawlenty's fault--it shows serious problems throughout the entire MnDOT organization. These inadequacies need to be addressed immediately. There are no two ways about it--MnDOT put thousands and thousands of our citizens at high risk every day.

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