“Bridge 9340” you may have heard it called. The I-35W Minnesota River bridge is a place of both triumph and tragedy. This bridge was built in 1967 and carried 140,000 vehicles across the Mississippi River every day. It was a vital artery for the city until August 1st, 2007. As the evening rush hour hit, the bridge collapsed sending vehicles plunging into the river and killing 13 people. The cause? Thin gusset plates. These plates were designed to connect the bridge’s main trusses, but the weight of the bridge, along with extra construction materials, caused them to rip apart. It was a devastating event for Minneapolis and the entire State of Minnesota. But this was a city not easily defeated. Construction on a brand new bridge began in November and was completed in just one year. The new bridge is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the people of Minneapolis. Today, the river flows freely under the new bridge and there are no signs of the collapse except for a memorial garden, a reminder of the lives lost and the importance of never forgetting the past. The I-35W Minnesota River bridge is a place of both sorrow and hope.
Parker Hannifin Hydraulic Pump and Power Systems Division
What if I told you the hydraulic power you use every day, from the machinery in a factory to the