Minnesota Makes Progress On Deficient Bridges

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A Minnesota transportation official says half of the bridges rated deficient following the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge will be repaired or replaced by the end of this construction season.

The head of the Department of Transportation bridge inspections, Nancy Daubenberger, says about 60 of the 120 deficient bridges will be done. She says about $2 billion was set aside to fund the bridge projects.

Thirteen people died and 145 others were injured in the collapse of the interstate bridge on Aug. 1, 2007. The following year, lawmakers approved funding for repairing or replacing the deficient bridges in Minnesota.

Minnesota Public Radio News says following the collapse, the federal government ordered more frequent bridge inspections, requiring the structures to be inspected every two years instead of four.

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