Jan 10 2008
The collapse of the I-35 Bridge in Minneapolis has been voted the top construction story of 2007 in the annual survey conducted by the Construction Writers Association (CWA).
Collapse of the I-35 Bridge in Minneapolis.
The main spans of the eight-lane, 1,907 foot steel truss arch bridge across the Mississippi River collapsed during rush hour on August 1, killing 13 and injuring dozens more. Along with the tragic loss of life, the collapse raised concerns about the overall state of the nation's infrastructure, and whether another, potentially more tragic, event could be imminent.
"The bridge collapse underscored the vulnerability of the nation's transportation infrastructure, and highlighted the need for a strong federal role in providing additional funds to shore up an aging bridge network," observed CWA member Matt Jeanneret, senior vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association. "It also sparked a discussion about the future direction of the nation's surface transportation program, and laid the groundwork for a vigorous debate in Congress as hearings begin in 2008 about the reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU."
Finishing a close second in the CWA survey was the sharp decline of the nation's housing market and its ripple effect on the overall U.S. economy.
"The housing bust touches everything," said CWA member Kirk Landers, editorial director for Better Roads and Aggregates Manager magazines. "What's extremely uncomfortable is that the full effects have yet to be felt by both the construction industry and the general economy. Residential construction has been the backbone of the general economy for a decade or so. With its current weakness expected to continue for another couple of years, it's uncertain what will propel the construction and the general economy over that long haul."
Rounding out the top 5 stories in the CWA survey were the increasing emphasis on green and sustainable design by public- and private-sector project owners, increasing costs of fuel and other construction materials, and the federal government's failure to resolve the immigration issue.
Founded in 1958, the 50-year-old Construction Writers Association is the nation's leading professional organization for construction industry journalists and communicators. Members include editors and key staff members from virtually every major industry publication, many of construction's top freelance writers, representatives of key industry trade and professional associations, and those engaged in marketing and public relations for contractors, designers, industry suppliers and service providers.