35W Bridge Model from U of MN
The University was contracted to construct a model of the previous 35W bridge to be used in the NTSB investigation. Reports about the model aired on local new shows last night in addition to reports about the debate in the state legislature over transportation funding.
MODEL OF FORMER I-35W BRIDGE, built by civil engineering junior Rachel Gaulke, is being sent to Washington, D.C. today. The 1/200th-scale model will be used by engineers at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), for various presentations to help visualize and explain information related to the bridge collapse and its causes. NTSB contracted the U to produce the model because of its familiarity with the bridge. The budget for the model was about $6,000, including labor and materials. Read the news release and watch the video on the construction and presentation of the bridge model.