I cross the 35W bridge that collapsed tonight at least twice a day to go to and from work, often during rush hour. Tonight I left my office at about 5:45 p.m. and took the 10th Ave bridge right next to the 35W bridge in order to avoid the congestion created by the recent construction on it. It went down about 15 minutes later. If I’d taken the 35W bridge, as I usually would, there’s a decent chance I would have been delayed in the congestion and stuck on it when it collapsed.
As I crossed the Mississippi River tonight, I looked over and saw the cars jam-packed on 35W and remember thinking, “Thank God I didn’t go that way.”