Aug 1 2007
Jeremy Schoemaker

Minneapolis I-35 Bridge Collapses

By Jeremy Schoemaker 90 comments

Dave and I left our data center at 5:30 and the traffic on I-35 was really bad so we took a different bridge across the Mississippi. At 6:10 the i-35w bridge collapsed.

My cell phone did not work as all cell towers were flooded. I tried to call my wife, J to let her know that I was ok but couldn’t.

Dave has a good friend who is a first responder on the scene. She said there is a lot of people dead. She also told us they need volunteers and food. Dave got 15 pizzas and we are headed down there right now. I just wanted to post this quick to let everyone know we are OK.

UPDATE: Its 2AM and I just got to my hotel. We picked up the pizzas and took them down to the workers. The cops were cool and let us come on through but the salvation army people said we could not give pizza to the workers. It was really fricking stupid. While Dave argued with them I sneaked around the backside and through the police line and got some good photos. I took them really fast so sorry about the quality but you can see them here in the gallery. A policeman came and got me and I told him I was with the guys who brought pizza he was really cool and said, “ok well Media is all pinned way back there but take a few pictures its ok”. I thanked him but just walked back to where Dave and Adam were dropping the pizzas off. I asked them how it went down and Dave said the salvation army guy was a idiot but a red cross person just told him to leave them there and she would make sure it got down to the workers.

Its very sad here in the twin cities. I have a very early flight so I have to be short. Here are some of the pics that I took:

In this first one (sorry its so dark) you can see Dillsmack (in the grey shirt) and Adam carrying down the pizzas Dave bought.




  1. Pat said on August 1st, 2007 at 9:30 pm

    Yeah, I just heard that. Hope everything is well for everyone.

    [Reply]

  2. sl said on August 1st, 2007 at 9:40 pm

    yeah. I almost dropped off a couch to a friend who lives at the universiy. Luckily, I the van I was going to take was being used by my brother so I stayed home this evening.

    Glad to hear you’re ok. This is all pretty messed up.

    [Reply]

  3. Webd360 said on August 1st, 2007 at 9:42 pm

    Wow, the bridge collapsed? That is horrible news, I wish the best for everyone and hopefully there won’t be too many deaths.

    [Reply]

  4. Shawn said on August 1st, 2007 at 9:44 pm

    Yeah it’s horrible. It shocks me how they can work on a bridge without worrying about compromising the structural integrity and people’s lives…

    [Reply]

  5. Paul Bradish said on August 1st, 2007 at 9:45 pm

    I was about 15 minutes away as well. Glad to hear that you are OK.

    [Reply]

  6. Webd360 said on August 1st, 2007 at 9:47 pm

    I just read the story on CNN and the Minnesota Department of Transportation said that the construction wasn’t structural, it was being redecked (I’m not quite sure what that is). It might still have weakened the bridge or maybe it was something else, from what I have read so far they haven’t released an official cause to the accident.

    [Reply]

  7. Tim L. Walker said on August 1st, 2007 at 9:56 pm

    Wow… that’s brutal. Glad to know you guys are alright. Kudos for helping out as well. If I were nearby, I’d join ya.

    [Reply]

  8. nick said on August 1st, 2007 at 10:09 pm

    That was so unreal to hear about that news tonight. Wa sin the gym when I saw it on one of the tvs… just the other week I was driving on that bridge to Wisconsin to get fireworks… scary. I heard one or two people dead last I checked, and a bunch more injured.

    [Reply]

  9. Stavanger said on August 1st, 2007 at 10:12 pm

    ShoeMoney to the rescue! Didn’t have the superman dollar sign for nothing now…

    On a more serious note, glad you’re ok, the pictures on Fox looks pretty serious. These things make you question life doesn’t it?

    [Reply]

  10. Jaz said on August 1st, 2007 at 10:41 pm

    That is so awful. It reminds me of the bridge out in California some years ago. I’m an ex over-the-road trucker who has been on both those bridges before. I hope that those folks are all right. Glad to hear that you are all right but there were 6 dead as of the last time I heard. I’m so sorry.

    [Reply]

  11. Paul. said on August 1st, 2007 at 10:43 pm

    That’s insane….. all those poor people.

    [Reply]

  12. More M said on August 1st, 2007 at 11:22 pm

    Glad you are alright. This is an amazing mess, I am glad it is not as bad as it could have been.

    [Reply]

  13. SonicReducer said on August 1st, 2007 at 11:27 pm

    I have family in there who drive that bridge every day. Scary shit to think what could have happened to them.

    [Reply]

  14. Darr said on August 1st, 2007 at 11:37 pm

    Wow. I don’t live anywhere near there, fortunately! But I would’ve done the same thing (bring food) if I were you. :D

    [Reply]

  15. Doyle said on August 1st, 2007 at 11:51 pm

    All they were doing was removing the top layer of concrete that the cars drive on and laying new concrete.

    [Reply]

  16. Doyle said on August 1st, 2007 at 11:53 pm

    My mom works in the building on the south side of the river at 35 and Washington, basically 100 ft from the bridge. Took over 2 hours to get a hold of her to make sure she was ok, she drives the bridge twice a day. I’m on it several times a week, very surreal.

    [Reply]

  17. printpost said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:01 am

    Holy S*it that’s horrible! mad props for helpin out guys!

    [Reply]

  18. James said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:03 am

    Glad to know you’re ok! Thanks 4 the update!

    [Reply]

  19. John Loch said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:17 am

    I’m in Oz, but its still pretty scary. I was driving down the freeway on the Brisbane river the other day and it shook slowly, like I was riding a giant bungee. With the road works happening all around at the time, and the its previous closure due to structural problems, I was actually quite worried I would wind up in the river..

    Anyway, glad you’re OK, and yeah, I’d be down there with pizzas helping out too. :)

    [Reply]

  20. JLH said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:42 am

    Luckily, I didn’t go to the office today, I normally drive over that bridge when I do.

    [Reply]

  21. SEO Reloaded said on August 2nd, 2007 at 1:38 am

    Thats terrible. I hope nobody was seriously hurt or injured.

    [Reply]

  22. Nick said on August 2nd, 2007 at 1:49 am

    I live in the Twin Cities, and when I heard about this on the radio I was rocked.

    My heart goes out to everyone involved.

    [Reply]

  23. 2kaday said on August 2nd, 2007 at 2:28 am

    I still can’t get a hold of my cousin or friend in Minneapolis!

    [Reply]

  24. Glen said on August 2nd, 2007 at 3:20 am

    Respect for trying to help out in such a situation

    R.I.P for those who wern’t as fortunate

    [Reply]

  25. Jack said on August 2nd, 2007 at 3:31 am

    sorry, but that has nothing to do with online marketing! PLEASE STOP THIS OFFTOPIC POSTS!

    [Reply]

  26. Theo said on August 2nd, 2007 at 3:32 am

    Jeremy,
    Can you increase the brightness on these pictures?

    btw,
    Glad you’re okay

    [Reply]

  27. Water Rat said on August 2nd, 2007 at 4:13 am

    That is horrible. I hope they rescue effort can save some of the people that fell in the Mississippi River.

    [Reply]

  28. Travel Notebook said on August 2nd, 2007 at 6:16 am

    How many cars were involved in the accident?

    [Reply]

  29. Ben said on August 2nd, 2007 at 6:32 am

    Damn .. thats horrible .. hope everyone is ok! .. btw: glad to here you are ok.

    [Reply]

  30. Theo said on August 2nd, 2007 at 6:51 am

    Cnn.com is showing a video of the bridge collapse.
    Man, that does look horrific.

    [Reply]

  31. Ginene said on August 2nd, 2007 at 7:59 am

    Glad that you are ok. I was just telling my daughter the other day how I have a fear of bridges because I always think they may collapse.

    Sending prayers to everyone.

    [Reply]

  32. Adamz said on August 2nd, 2007 at 8:16 am

    Shoe,

    Glad to know you and the guys are ok & that you were all able to be a big help to those in need..

    [Reply]

  33. Grivon said on August 2nd, 2007 at 8:32 am

    I’ve been worried enough about bridges lately - thanks shoe :S - just the other day a “bread-loaf sized chunk” of concrete FELL from one of our bridges… didn’t hit anyone driving through to toronto but imagine taking a 100 pound rock of cement through the windshield at 70 miles an hour…

    [Reply]

  34. Keith said on August 2nd, 2007 at 8:46 am

    I left my house at 5:55pm but decided to take a different route to the south metro. It’s just chance I wasn’t caught up in the bad stuff.

    [Reply]

  35. Gecko Tales said on August 2nd, 2007 at 8:52 am

    Thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.

    [Reply]

  36. jim said on August 2nd, 2007 at 9:03 am

    Glad to hear you’re alright, it’s a tragedy.

    [Reply]

  37. Thomas said on August 2nd, 2007 at 9:08 am

    Glad to hear you are alright. I still find it hard to believe that this happened right here in our own backyard.

    [Reply]

  38. Don said on August 2nd, 2007 at 9:12 am

    Glad to hear you’re alright Shoe, 5:30 and 6:10, so little gap, thank God you took the other bridge instead of I-35. Eh, blame the architect?

    [Reply]

  39. Blogging Experiment said on August 2nd, 2007 at 9:18 am

    Wow, that middle one is an incredible pic, Shoe. Props to you and Dillsmack for helping out. I wish more people would have that as their first instinct.

    Thoughts and prayers out to everyone touched by this.

    [Reply]

  40. Jason said on August 2nd, 2007 at 9:22 am

    Prays go out to all effected by the tragedy. Another reminder that we can’t take life for granite.

    [Reply]

  41. Modern Worker said on August 2nd, 2007 at 9:58 am

    Saw this on live tv yesterday as I was passing my a department at work. What a horrible accident, I feel terrible for those involved. Man, props to y’all for going right to the scene and helping out!!

    [Reply]

  42. Nathan Hannig said on August 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 am

    That is amazing, I would love to see something like this without the death toll.

    [Reply]

  43. Modern Worker said on August 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 am

    It’s scary man, really scary :-\

    [Reply]

  44. Nathan Hannig said on August 2nd, 2007 at 10:00 am

    I heard that there was some jack hammering going on, maybe that cracked something

    [Reply]

  45. Tim Spangler said on August 2nd, 2007 at 10:40 am

    Damn Shoe, it seems like so many people I know had a close call like yours. It’s good to hear you’re ok, and kudos for doing what you could to help.

    [Reply]

  46. Erika said on August 2nd, 2007 at 11:32 am

    Sorry to hear about the deaths, but good to know you are okay and really did the right thing by helping where you could.

    Blessings to all the rest!

    [Reply]

  47. Joe said on August 2nd, 2007 at 11:48 am

    Man, what is up with all the bridge collapses lately? There was one out here in California the other day, too. Maybe we should send those engineers to Bridge Building 101 or something…

    [Reply]

  48. Sabrina's Money Matters said on August 2nd, 2007 at 11:54 am

    When I saw the news this morning I was horrified. How terrifying that must have been for the people on the bridge. I have an insane fear of bridges, it doesn’t keep me from using them, but I’m always super paranoid as I’m going across it, and boy when I get stuck in traffic on one, I’m telling you I’m super nervous. I certainly didn’t need a further reason to be nervous. I hope they get to the bottom of how that could have happened and make sure it never happens again.

    I’m sure your wife was frantic until she heard from you. How nice of you to make the effort to assist, so many people just talk about it.

    [Reply]

  49. jeremy said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:17 pm

    Wow, I hope this kind of thing doesn’t become more common. It’s great to hear of someone coming to the rescue, you just get how tragic it is on the TV, and nothing about the people trying to make it right. Much respect. Best wishes and good luck to everyone involved.

    [Reply]

  50. art said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:22 pm

    You were very lucky to have been delayed. here is video of bridge falling.http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1ab_1186054443

    [Reply]

  51. Matt (howiwillberich.com) said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:22 pm

    That’s an amazing story. I’m very glad to see you helped out. I watched the news coverage all night last night.

    [Reply]

  52. chrisblogging.com said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:24 pm

    This is a huge tragedy. I am glad to hear that you are alright tho…

    [Reply]

  53. chrisblogging.com said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:25 pm

    If anybody wants to stay up to date with this story check out CNN or Fox News…

    [Reply]

  54. Modern Worker said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:36 pm

    Why would you “love” to see something like this? Are you saying that in regard to demolition? That’s a very strange comment to make…

    [Reply]

  55. Increase WebSite Traffic said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:40 pm

    thats good you are alright, it was on the news all day yesterday

    [Reply]

  56. Increase WebSite Traffic said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:42 pm

    “Heres some pizza’s and shoemoney t-shirts!” lol :)

    [Reply]

  57. cooliojones said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:54 pm

    Nathan, almost no amount of construction on the surface would cause a bridge to collapse. It was simply old, built in 1967, and a single piece of steel was used to go across the river so no piers would impede river navigation.

    The bridge was inspected in 2005 and 2006, so who knows what led to it buckling like that. Truly surprising and sad.

    [Reply]

  58. cooliojones said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:55 pm

    I don’t know exactly how the bridge looked, and it’s a sad reality but I hope no one was sleeping under the bridge when it collapsed. RIP for them as well, simply horrible.

    [Reply]

  59. Mike Mothner said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:57 pm

    This terrible tragedy is truly a wake-up call to the whole country that our Department of Transportation should reevaluate what measures are being taken to ensure the safety of everyone who commutes on a daily basis. The fact that this bridge had passed inspection only a year ago means that there’s truly something wrong with our current system.

    [Reply]

  60. ToddW said on August 2nd, 2007 at 12:58 pm

    I agree, this is terrible.

    Shoe, good job on the pictures!

    [Reply]

  61. eTown Landlord said on August 2nd, 2007 at 1:28 pm

    Hey thanks for the tip :-) Seriously though, it’s crazy when you are headed right for a potential disaster and b/c traffic is bad, you go another way and live to see another day.

    [Reply]

  62. eTown Landlord said on August 2nd, 2007 at 1:30 pm

    they gave the bridge a 50 out of 100 rating meaning replace it, not right away, but in the future.

    Hmmm, HS & college wouldn’t let me get away with scoring 50’s.

    [Reply]

  63. Tracy Robinson said on August 2nd, 2007 at 1:30 pm

    Damn Shoe, that is a mean thing for you and Dill to do just to get publicity for your next Shoemoney Media Group Venture - Building Bridges for the Future.

    [Reply]

  64. eTown Landlord said on August 2nd, 2007 at 1:40 pm

    I don’t like being under bridges in traffic either. Creeps me out all that concrete and steel over my squashable jeep cherokee.

    [Reply]

  65. Ali said on August 2nd, 2007 at 2:14 pm

    Glad to hear you’re OK. Sad about those that didn’t make it.

    [Reply]

  66. Stephanie said on August 2nd, 2007 at 2:18 pm

    Wow, that has to be unnerving to be so close to that kind of disaster. Glad you’re ok and took the time to help out a little

    [Reply]

  67. andrew said on August 2nd, 2007 at 3:12 pm

    That was actually caused by an earth quake, and it wasn’t a bridge, it was an elevated highway (or freeway as it’s called in california). I remember the effects that had locally, and I can imagine it is very similar there.

    [Reply]

  68. Matt said on August 2nd, 2007 at 3:46 pm

    Last night I heard about it (friend from MN texted me saying she was ok) but I had no idea how bad this really was. I would not have expected a bridge that much traveled or large to be the one that collapsed.

    [Reply]

  69. Doyle said on August 2nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm

    50+

    [Reply]

  70. Paul Bradish said on August 2nd, 2007 at 4:53 pm

    what a crazy night.

    [Reply]

  71. Paul Bradish said on August 2nd, 2007 at 5:08 pm

    Fox9 said that someone showed up with 30 pizzas last night for the workers/red cross. What that you?

    [Reply]

  72. CPA Affiliates said on August 2nd, 2007 at 5:16 pm

    wow man that is just CRAZY!

    [Reply]

  73. Karn P. said on August 2nd, 2007 at 6:34 pm

    I heard about it last night and I remembered you were their.

    BTW. The media is going to be pissed when they hear about this. They are going to all like… we should have brouht 15 pizzas to the workers. We could have gotten some better pictures then out hellicopter junk…

    [Reply]

  74. fivecentnickel.com said on August 2nd, 2007 at 10:01 pm

    Are you serious? Don’t be such a jackass.

    [Reply]

  75. fivecentnickel.com said on August 2nd, 2007 at 10:02 pm

    Yeah, that’s kind of disturbing, actually.

    [Reply]

  76. John Loch said on August 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 pm

    Its his PERSONAL BLOG. He can post whatever he likes.

    [Reply]

  77. Get Featured said on August 3rd, 2007 at 8:27 am

    Wow, I knew you were in Minneapolis, but I didn’t make the connection. Glad to hear you are ok!

    [Reply]

  78. Esrun said on August 3rd, 2007 at 8:31 am

    Crazy eh. Well done on handing out the pizzas.

    [Reply]

  79. jim said on August 3rd, 2007 at 9:31 am

    Props for thinking to bring pizza to the responders, very admirable.

    [Reply]

  80. Joe said on August 3rd, 2007 at 9:48 am

    Glad you’re all right Shoe. Stuff like this puts things in perspective.

    [Reply]

  81. JeffPosaka said on August 3rd, 2007 at 10:30 am

    Nice job bringing the pizzas. The whole thing is pretty humbling.

    [Reply]

  82. Deelip said on August 3rd, 2007 at 11:20 am

    Good shoe, you helped them.

    [Reply]

  83. Freebies said on August 3rd, 2007 at 4:30 pm

    More props for trying to do what you could to help the workers out. No kindness is too small. Kudos mate.

    [Reply]

  84. Study Guide said on August 3rd, 2007 at 6:04 pm

    Why were you not allowed to give them the pizzas?

    [Reply]

  85. BlueDevilMedia said on August 4th, 2007 at 2:47 pm

    Thats crazy how close you were Shoe!

    [Reply]

  86. Michael Fultz said on August 4th, 2007 at 11:09 pm

    Luckily, you weren’t at the wrong place at the wrong time..

    [Reply]

  87. ritchie said on August 5th, 2007 at 6:16 am

    I saw the amateur videos on Austrian news television… what a terrible accident. Good to hear you’re fine.

    [Reply]

  88. Holly Simon said on August 5th, 2007 at 12:30 pm

    Amazing pictures, its amazing that something that big can just crumble like that.

    [Reply]

  89. Leonid Shalimov said on August 6th, 2007 at 10:01 am

    Terrible. It’s all over the news and has been for the past 2 days straight. God bless all the families. My heart goes out to them.

    [Reply]

  90. stupid 3gp said on August 6th, 2007 at 3:54 pm

    You almost saved. Good Luck to you. and i am feeling bad for the persons who died.

    [Reply]

What do you think? Join the discussion...

How do I change my avatar?

Go to gravatar.com and upload your preferred avatar.