You have probably been hearing a lot about the opening of the new 35W bridge in the news lately. I read an article in the StarTribune called, A Span of Emotions by Pam Louwage, which expressed the mixed emotions that people may feel about the opening of the bridge. The article gave readers a few perspectives on the opening of the 10 lane bridge, ranging from acceptance to terror. It expressed the mixed feelings a survivor, like Andy Gannon might feel. Whether it be a feeling of closure or a feeling of total fear, it is obvious the bridge collapse had a big impact on Andy. "You just can't live in fear. It'll consume you," Gannon said, "You have to understand that these structures are safe and to live your life you have to use them, unless you want to hide in you house."
Although the collapse had the greatest affect on the people who survived, it also had an impact on normal-day commuters and how they get around town. Many people are tired of the bridge being closed and are ready to be able to cross the newly built 'safe' bridge. "I am confident that its a very safe bridge," she [Jean Forster] said, "I haven't had any trouble going acoss any other bridges, and this is undobtedly safer." Although the remains of the broken bridge are long gone and in their space is a newly built bridge it is obvious that that terrifying day in August 2005 will never leave Minnesotan's minds.
Louwage, Pam A span of emotions. (2008, September 18). StarTribune, p. A16
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