Dear Bridge Friends:
The tragic Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis has catalyzed a nationwide discourse on the safety of older bridges. The sudden and total failure of such a large structure is terrifying. How do we know bridges are safe? Can the same thing happen again?

As advocates for preserving historic bridges, the Historic Bridge Foundation has always focused on structural safety through appropriate rehabilitation. In the aftermath of this tragedy, it is important now that we recommit to that goal.

There will be a huge national reaction to this tragedy, and those of us who are engineers must learn from our mistakes. We have had many failures in the past (too many in recent years), and we have to acknowledge that, as a group, we have our own paradigms that have led to these errors. But a large-scale replacement program is not the answer. Proper rehabilitation of existing bridges is an essential part of our infrastructure management. It is not less important than building new bridges. In fact, we view it as more important.

This should be an opportunity for historic bridge engineers and preservationists to step up and be part of the dialog. We are most familiar with the value, vulnerabilities, and repair methods for older bridges. Historical perspective gives a better understanding of past mistakes as well as how bridges behave and the effects of deterioration. The body of knowledge gained through evaluation and restoration of historic bridges is valuable to the larger picture of bridge safety, and members of the historic bridge community are already involved in evaluating and understanding the Minneapolis collapse

As preservationists we often argue the merits of the historic structure: its beauty, its inherent strengths, its value to the community. These are all good things. But we cannot be, or appear to be, the ones causing delays because of historic preservation concerns. Rather we have to be focused on getting the right repairs done now. We have to be clear that saving bridges means doing the serious work to make them safe.

All too often, substantial repairs are deferred when replacement is expected within a few years. Replacement takes a long time, due to planning, design, and compliance with regulations. Rehabilitation is often rejected because of perceived costs or difficulty in meeting current design standards (e.g., width and alignment). If we focused on repairs rather than replacement, our money would go a lot farther. But that requires some policy changes.

Perhaps no other structure in our built environment tells us more about human progress than a bridge. In each bridge is the visible development of engineering, architecture, art, and technology. Moreover, many historic bridges are still doing their job and don’t need to be replaced.

The nation cannot afford, culturally or financially, to replace every bridge that is considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Repair and rehabilitation should take precedence over replacement, both in dollars and in priority.

Patrick Sparks
Board President

Kitty Henderson
Executive Director

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones in the disaster.
To make a donation to the families of the victims, contact:
Minnesota Helps—Bridge Disaster Fund
The Minneapolis Foundation
800 IDS Center, 80 S 8th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota
55402
or make an online donation at
www.minnesotahelps.com.