Almost immediately following the collapse of the 35W Bridge, stories began appearing in the media about whom or what was to blame—a quick Google search for “35W bridge blame responsible” gives over 29,000 results. Local and state politicians who spoke shortly after the bridge collapsed said that there should be no finger pointing, but just resolve to find out what went wrong.

But as is human nature, the blame game began on August 2^nd. To quote Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, "A bridge in America just shouldn't fall down."

Blame has been directed towards the bridge’s designer, Sverdrup & Parcel, saying the design had no structural redundancies, which would have reduced damage in a collapse.

State Representative Jim Oberstar, Chairman for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, blamed the Bush administration for not properly funding a transportation bill in 2003 when the bridge was deemed deficient. Oberstar stated, "This administration failed to support a robust investment in surface transportation and the funding to accompany it." The Bush administration pointed the blame back at the state of Minnesota saying it was the state’s responsibility to respond to bridge reports.   

But for others, their personal actions and the actions of others have caused political fallout. Some of the political fallout includes:

• Sonia Morphew Pitt's firing from her job as Mn/DOT’s Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

   

• Lt. Governor Carol Molnau's removal from her job as Mn/DOT’s Transportation Commissioner.

   

• The Minnesota state legislature's override of Governor Pawlenty's veto of a transportation funding bill.

   

• The Republican Party's treatment of six Republican legislators who voted with the Democrats to override the Pawlenty's veto.  

   

   

   

   

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