Winona Bridge closed
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
The Mississippi River Bridge at Winona, Minnesota, was suddenly closed Tuesday after failing an inspection. Until the bridge can be repaired and reopened, which might take a few weeks, the city is hoping to offer an emergency ferry service for commuters. Ironically, the bridge is featured on a stamp celebrating Minnesota's sesquicentennial.
Meanwhile, problems were found with the Meridian Bridge at Yankton, South Dakota, causing a 10-ton weight limit to be imposed. A replacement bridge is scheduled to open this fall. Other bridges failing inspection include the DeSoto Bridge at St. Cloud, Minnesota (permanently closed and awaiting replacement) and the Blatnik Bridge at Duluth (emergency repairs underway). Finally, the bridge at Hastings, Minnesota, has been fast-tracked for replacement.
More details -- and finger pointing -- are coming out from the investigation into the I-35W bridge collapse.