DOT 74-07
Contact: Sarah Echols, Tel.:  (202) 366-4570
Thursday, August 2, 2007

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters Announces $5 Million in Immediate Funding During Visit To Downed I-35 Bridge in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters today announced that, based on Minnesota’s request, $5 million in federal relief will be available to the state to repair the I-35 bridge that collapsed last night. The Secretary is in Minneapolis touring the bridge site, viewing the damage, and meeting with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Senator Norm Coleman, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congressman Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.

“We are going to make sure that last night’s damage and debris soon become a thing of the past. We will rebuild this bridge and repair this horrible hole in the heart of this community,” Secretary Peters said.

The Secretary said the $5 million “will give crews the support they need to begin restoring traffic flow, clearing debris, setting up detours, and making repairs.” She pledged that the federal government will continue to be a close partner with the state to do everything possible to get the bridge up and running as soon as possible, and that any future requests for additional funds will be quickly evaluated and processed.

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Click here for the Secretary's Remarks

Click here for the Fact Sheet