Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

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Bob McFarlin, a top official at the Minnesota Department of Transportation when the 35W bridge collapsed, says the NTSB report does not find  fault with the state's bridge inspection procedures. 

McFarlin is now vice president at Weber Shandwick's Minneapolis-St. Paul office.
He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer about the NTSB findings.

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Cathy Wurzer

Author

Bob McFarlin, who was second in command at MnDOT when the 35W bridge collapsed, says the NTSB report does not find  fault with the state's bridge inspection procedures. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.

Federal investigators told the National Transportation Safety Board that the 35-W bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis was dangerously stressed throughout its life due to under-designed gusset plates.  They were too thin.   Investigators also said that a key gusset plate failed because of the weight added to the bridge throughout its life, and on the day of the collapse.  On that day, August 1, 2007, there were 289 tons of construction equipment and materials on the bridge when it fell.

Former MnDOT official reacts to NTSB findings

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