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September 2007

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University of Minnesota creates new class for I-35W bridge collapse
September 7, 2007

When the I-35W bridge collapsed, a piece of the Twin Cities community fell with it. Now, the University of Minnesota, with parts of campus situated at the foot of the bridge, has created a new class that will grapple with the issues of transportation and community in light of the tragedy. The class, called “The River, the Bridge, the Community: Beyond the Headlines of the I-35W Bridge Collapse” (Urban studies 3800), will tackle the big issues that must be addressed in order to rebuild the bridge and the surrounding area in a way that will stand the test of time. “There’s a lot going on now about new bridge design, the politics of infrastructure, and memorials to victims,” said course instructor Patrick Nunnally. The course will touch on engineering questions, such as the type of structure that will replace the fallen bridge and how interchanges will be designed. With river traffic now halted in the vicinity of the collapse, barges and other boats that pass below the bridges and contribute to the economic life of the city and the state will be a hot topic. Students will also learn about the river as an ecosystem with its own plant and animal communities and physical attributes. Among the latter are the water currents near the I-35W bridge, which hampered rescue and recovery efforts following the collapse and continue to attract interest. The collapse itself may have affected water quality, another angle for scientific inquiry.

To interview Nunnally, contact Patty Mattern at (612) 624-2801.