Illinois faces 9.5 percent structurally deficient bridges
Governor Blagojevich orders immediate inspections of high volume and similar bridges after a Minnesota collapse. An AP review shows Illinois with about 2,400 structurally deficient bridges and 1,800 functionally obsolete ones, with many aged 50 years or more, prompting legislative calls for urgent road and bridge funding. Local residents react with concern while lawmakers renew debates on paying for construction programs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Springfield
Illinois
Rod Blagojevich
Minnesota
Blagojevich
Mississippi River
Minneapolis
St. Paul
Associated Press
Wabash County
Ogle County
Rockford
St. Louis
Diane McCarron
Belleville
Poplar Street
Shirley Goodine
Troy
House
Bill Black
Danville
IDOT stresses bridge safety amid inspections on Illinois 154
IDOT officials reassure motorists as inspectors review state bridges including steel beam structures. Carrie Nelson notes typical design while plans for more thorough checks proceed in coming weeks. Assistant secretary David Phelps cites Minneapolis collapse to urge proactive safety, with AA A spokesperson Mike Right saying crossings remain generally safe despite rare incidents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Illinois 154
IDOT
Carrie Nelson
United States
Lamie
David Phelps
Minneapolis
Southern Illinois
Phelps
Southern Illinois Aaa
Mike Right
Minnesota I-35W bridge collapse sparks inspection push
Grief turns to anger as the I‑35W span collapses over the Mississippi River during evening rush hour injuring 79. Authorities shift to recovery while probing cause and safety, with federal and state orders to inspect similar bridges nationwide.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dan Dorgan
Army Corps of Engineers
Shannon Bauer
Minnesota
Dorgan
White House
Tony Snow
Tim Pawlenty
On the road home when a bridge collapses into disaster
Melissa Hughes and Jay Reeves recount a rush hour collapse on I 35W as the Minneapolis bridge yields. A school bus with Raleigh Swift and Jessica Jones and other passengers is left hanging above a sudden drop while rescuers and drivers react to screams and debris.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Minneapolis
Melissa Hughes
Raleigh Swift
Jessica Jones
Bunker Beach
Mississippi River
Charles Leckley
Hughes
Jay Reeves
American Red Cross
Rochester
West River Parkway
Reeves
Leckley
Raleigh
Also Mentioned on This Page
Illinois Department of Transportation
blackwell.thomas@thesoutr
Am.com
Kent Harries
University of Pittsburgh
School of Engineering
David Schulz
Infrastrucuire Technology Institute
Northwestern University
University of Minnesota
Department of Civil Engineering
Richard Sause
Advanced Technology For
Lehigh University
Anna Maria Vences Garcia
Monica Segura
Waite House
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!