DOT 78-07
Monday, August 6, 2007
Contact: Sarah Echols
Phone: (202) 366-4570

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters Deploys Team of Experts to Assist with Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters today announced she has deployed a team to operate on-site in Minneapolis to coordinate the federal response, recovery and rebuilding effort following the collapse of the I-35W bridge.

Secretary Peters said the team -- led by Federal Highway Administrator (FHWA) Rick Capka, a professional engineer and former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brigadier General -- will have expertise in bridge engineering, federal contracting, transit programs and environmental assessments. The team also includes personnel who will work directly with local, state and federal officials on site.

“I’ve asked our team to work side by side with state and local officials to provide technical expertise, expedite the acquisition of resources, and cut through red tape when necessary,” said Secretary Peters. “We are committed to helping the people of Minnesota get their bridge back as quickly and safely as possible.”

The U.S. DOT response team will also include Sherry Little, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration; the Minnesota Federal Highway Division Administrator; a Federal-aid contracting specialist; a representative from the FHWA Office of Environmental Programs; a representative from the Office of the Secretary; and governmental and public affairs liaisons.

Secretary Peters said the team is already in Minneapolis and has begun working with local, state and federal agencies. Over the weekend, Secretary Peters spoke with the Secretary of the Navy to request divers who will help support the recovery and salvage efforts.

On Saturday, Secretary Peters joined President Bush for a tour of the incident site, marking her second visit there since the Wednesday night collapse. A day after the incident, Secretary Peters made an initial $5 million in federal relief available to begin restoring traffic flow, clearing debris, setting up detours, and making repairs. She also requested the U.S. DOT’s Inspector General to conduct a rigorous assessment of the National Bridge Inspection Program, and called on all states to immediately inspect any steel deck truss bridges similar to the I-35 bridge that collapsed.