Minneapolis people

[pyxichick]

I have to say, I'm surprised at how much international attention this has gotten considering the typhoons in Asia and the train wrecks in Africa that have killed far more people and devastated more lives. We have had a relatively low death toll, and the only lasting impact to those not directly involved is really on peoples' commute time. I'm not judging anyone, just find it really interesting to see what makes the headlines, especially here in the U.S.

Thanks again for everyone who sent me their positive energy. It's lovely to know that so many people care about others enough to take time out of their day to express those intentions.

Maybe tomorrow I'll have the nerve to ride my bike two miles up the road to see in person what really happened. Northstar, you probably have already seen it in person. I'm guessing you live pretty close.

Take care everyone.

Kate

[Grog]

I have to say, I'm surprised at how much international attention this has gotten considering the typhoons in Asia and the train wrecks in Africa that have killed far more people and devastated more lives. We have had a relatively low death toll, and the only lasting impact to those not directly involved is really on peoples' commute time. I'm not judging anyone, just find it really interesting to see what makes the headlines, especially here in the U.S.

First, let me say I'm really glad you and your family are all okay. What a scary moment!

I think the tragedy hits home for just about everyone living in North America because our infrastructure are pretty much all the same age, and what just happened there is seen as very likely to happen in many other cities. It actually happened just last summer in Laval, north of Montreal, where an overpass collapsed on the highway. It was of a much smaller magnitude than the Minneapolis collapse, but there were still five dead (and MAJOR traffic disruptions for months). And the ministry of Transport of the province has now published a long list of structures that are forbidden to some types of trucks and is quite concerned with the state of many other road bridges and similar structures... In Ontario the ministry expressed similar concerns today about a number of high-traffic structures. In every city, the engineering department are scratching their heads hard.

Someone above said 'hug a civil engineer'. I second that!!

[RoadRaven]

I have to say, I'm surprised at how much international attention this has gotten considering the typhoons in Asia and the train wrecks in Africa that have killed far more people and devastated more lives.

Here in NZ those other tradgedies have had initial high priority coverage and then continued coverage over the ensuing days.

Take care when you bike along there on the morrow. Can you bike with a friend?