Investigators Plan Bridge Reassembly

Jigsaw parts to be examined; search for victims continues
By Heather McPherson,  Newser User
Posted Aug 6, 2007 4:46 PM CDT
Investigators Plan Bridge Reassembly
A crane arrives at the site of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 in Minneapolis, Minn. Officials have said they plan to use heavy equipment later Monday to begin clearing the debris. But before the delicate task of removing the tons of concrete and steel could begin, Navy divers...   (Associated Press)

NTSB investigators will rebuild the wreckage of the I-35W bridge downriver, the Star Tribune reports. Safety officials will examine the twisted rubble piece by piece in an attempt to figure out what caused last week's devastating collapse. Investigators also hope to recover bodies still trapped in the debris.

A 100-ton crane is already on its way towards the scene, and more heavy machinery is expected to arrive later today, but officials are expecting a final inquiry into the collapse won't be finished for a year and a half. The enormous jigsaw pieces of the collapsed structure are being removed from the Mississippi River slowly, because of the delicacy of the search for victims and the threat of further accidents. (More I 35W bridge stories.)

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