Bridge Collapse Survivors Request Mementos

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Survivors of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis may be able to keep a piece of scrap steel as a reminder of the historic event.

About 25 to 30 survivors of the 2007 collapse have asked the state for the mementos now that the legal issues have been resolved.  Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Gutknecht says the state hopes to honor those requests, but will need to make sure they are doing so according to the law.

Thirteen people were killed and 145 were injured when the massive bridge over the Mississippi River gave way. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the bridge fell largely because of a design flaw.

Besides survivors,  the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering has requested some steel scrap to remind students of their professional responsibility.

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