Twin Cities bridge debuts 30-foot tall pollution-sucking sculptures

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green

Two statues have debuted on Minnesota's new Interstate 35W Bridge that are shaped to look like the international cartographic symbol for water. Why? Besides mimicking the look of the Mississippi River as it passes through Minneapolis, the new sculptures are made from a type of concrete that is photocatalytic, meaning they will be able to convert gases like carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide to higher oxidized states, making them less damaging to the environment. Another benefit of the new concrete mixture is that it never looks old as it maintains a white oxidized color on its outer skin.

The opening of the new I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge also has a deeper meaning, since it replaces the one that tragically collapsed about a year ago from a structural failure. The new one was erected so fast because the original was used by over 140,000 cars per day. Despite how quickly it was built, the new bridge has a 100-year life span, supports ten lanes of traffic thanks to an extra 76 feet of width, and has shoulders on both sides where the old one didn't - not to mention it cleans the air with art. Thanks for the tip, Terry!

[Source: KTSP / Photo: David Joles, Star Tribune]

Twin Cities bridge debuts 30-foot tall pollution-sucking sculptures originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Horror: I-35 bridge in Minneapolis collapses into Mississippi River

Alex Nunez — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:35:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., First Drive

Earlier this evening, a bridge that's part of Interstate 35 in Minneapolis collapsed into the Mississippi River. In a scene that can only be described as horrific and catastrophic, vehicles and debris plunged into the water below. Additionally, a freight train passing underneath the bridge was struck and essentially cut in two by a falling section. According to authorities in Minnesota, at least 59 people, including 10 children, were injured. Sadly, as of this writing, 7 people have reportedly lost their lives as a result of this tragedy.

The event is being described as a structural failure and not an act of terrorism, an understandable concern at the time it occurred given the scope of the accident. Traffic at the time of the collapse (6:10 PM) was said to be bumper-to-bumper, as there was construction underway and many people were trying to get into downtown Minneapolis for the 7:10 PM Twins game at the Metrodome. Our condolences go to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, and our thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery go to the injured.

UPDATE: Georges Yared, a contributor at our sister site, BloggingStocks, was in the stands at last night's Twins game. Because his son insisted on getting to the dome early to watch the Twins' BP session, he crossed the bridge a full 35 minutes before the collapse. His post at BloggingStocks provides a firsthand account of what occurred inside Metrodome as the news of the disaster spread.

[Source: MSNBC, Local TV video via YouTube]

Horror: I-35 bridge in Minneapolis collapses into Mississippi River originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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