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State Representative Diane Loeffler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4219
For more information contact: Joan Nichols 651-29X-XXXX
Column/LTE
Lessons from the Bridge
We are all at risk… and never know when we’ll need the support of the community
The unexpected happens. Self supporting, healthy people suddenly found themselves thrust into evaluating medical options, adjusting to disability and loss of independence, financial chaos and debt, funeral planning for some, and a tortured longing for “normal"
Cherish the present, prepare for the unexpected, and support maintaining our fraying safety net of emergency services, health services, and community supports for those treated unfairly by fate.
The fixes, financial and emotional, are seldom quick
The poignant stories of survivors show recovery is a slow evolution for many. Hearings revealed the financial chaos that confronts people, even well insured people with savings, when the cash flow stops, the medical co-pays start, and lots of new costs arise. The legislature awarded funds to the survivors, with the state to be repaid if others are found liable after the years of courtroom fights ahead. For victims of other tragedies, that’s a long wait.
I’m thankful we have a non-profit hospital system that treats people and waits patiently in hope of final payment. But for-profit specialty centers constantly ask us to let them in to cherry pick the easy cases. For small business owners who lost customers in the re-route, there’s been little help and a worried year of losses.
We are one Minnesota
Residents of 36 of Minnesota’s 67 Senate districts were on the bridge. (Survivor Kimberly Brown made the map http://www.35wbridge.com ). This wasn’t a Minneapolis catastrophe or a metro vs. Greater Mn. Loss - it affected families throughout our state and region. It’s dismaying how often we divide ourselves regionally when the reality is we’re all in this together.
We are at our best when we break down barriers
Those who just happened to be on the bridge found themselves in a new community and support group where race, education, wealth, and other matters of status were transcended. The public appreciated House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller working in partnership with the Governor when fast response and joint leadership was needed. That didn’t take from the future need to determine causation.
Listen carefully to and welcome voices of concern
Whether an engineering report or the suspicions of observant staff we need to make sure our state agencies are places where workers don’t feel intimidated or at risk for raising questions, where the analytical reports are seriously weighed, and where the doors of those at the top are always open. The governor vetoed a bill that included my provision assuring workers they wouldn’t be at risk if they provide decision makers what they believe to be accurate information. We need an atmosphere in which all potential warnings are welcome and seriously weighed.
Design matters
Others died on that bridge earlier. In 1991 it was declared the metro’s most dangerous area because the “hump” in the middle prevented drivers from seeing the stopped traffic ahead. Until de-icing was installed, the mist of St. Anthony falls created surprising black ice in winter. Christmas night 1996 the bridge was closed after 20 cars skidded into each other. The Figg design addressed 7 substandard provisions of the old bridge. We need to demand and reward safe design
Traffic accidents are a daily tragedy – we need to do more
Personal tragedies, injuries, vehicle loss and hardship have unfortunately been suddenly thrust upon commuters for years. From 2002-2006 there were 1,591 crashes, 6 deaths and 373 injuries on 35W between Industrial Blvd and I94 (the area including and on either side of the bridge). Any of us can be a fateful minute from a very different future. The transportation bill passed over the Governor’s veto starts to address these issues – but the need is greater than the new resources.
Fast decisions eliminate options
The rush to get us committed to fast bridge rebuilding meant other options were taken off the table or not analyzed. With no traffic, this was the time to rebuild the approaches and downtown exits.
The May, 2007 Downtown Minneapolis Freeway Study by MNDOT states: “There are more freeway crashes here than in any other place in Minnesota, with an average of 3-4 crashes per day (2002-04). The afternoon peak-hour crash rate is 15 times the Metro average and the annual crash costs exceed $22 million, not including the costs of delay.” Will we wish we’d taken another month to evaluate and include other improvements when the traffic resumes early but the trip over the bridge still ends in back ups?
Will this inspire a new legacy?
Worldwide attention came our way. Will we follow this by becoming a model for improved disaster response, better attention to infrastructure (both physical and human), and again earn a reputation as a “state that works and leads”? That challenge is before us. The Sesquicentennial Commission is asking on our state’s 150th anniversary what we should work for and celebrate in 50 years. Submit your ideas at www.mn150years.org
Heartfelt thanks to the survivors and responders who have shared their experiences and the workers who have worked overtime in the response. We have learned much from you. Thanks and good luck.
Rep. Diane Loeffler
State Representative for Northeast Minneapolis
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