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Aug 10, 2007 9:50 AM

States are being cautioned by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to carefully consider additional weight placed on bridges during construction or repair projects.

Though it has not yet indicated any definitive cause of the Minneapolis I-35W bridge collapse August 1, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has indicated that the stress on the gusset plates may have been a factor, and that one possible stress may be the weight of construction equipment and materials on the bridge, according to the DOT information.

The Federal Highway Administration is working closely with the NTSB investigators to identify any broader design issues that need to be addressed relating to gusset plates on the I-35W bridge. In addition, the administration will issue guidance to all state transportation agencies and bridge owners strongly advising that the weight of construction equipment and stockpiled raw materials in place for current or future construction work not exceed the load limit for the bridge.

DOT also is providing a link on its Web site for more information regarding the Minneapolis bridge collapse. Click here to see the information at dot.gov.