Minneapolis’s 35W bridge shined red, white, yellow and black on Tuesday night to show support for Maryland after Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in a large container ship collision.
The colors represent the Maryland state flag and illuminate a bridge that saw tragedy over a decade ago, reports CBS News Minnesota.
The I-35W bridge, situated over the Mississippi River, collapsed in 2007 while under construction and resulted in the death of 13 people, as well as injuries to 145 others.
Tonight, the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River will be lit red, white, yellow and black—the colors of Maryland’s flag. Our thoughts are with those injured or still missing, and with the brave first responders following this morning’s bridge tragedy in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/lALSpSJVoj
— Minnesota Department of Transportation (@MnDOT) March 26, 2024
The incident occurred at the height of the afternoon rush hour on Aug. 1 and involved more than 100 vehicles and 18 construction workers falling as far as 115 feet into the river below.
Many Minnesotans were reminded of the tragedy on Tuesday and several state officials offered words of support.
“Such a horrible tragedy in Baltimore. When the I-35W bridge collapsed in Minnesota, so many people rushed to the scene and helped. Thankful for the Coast Guard and all the first responders,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar wrote on X.
“One of the hardest days of all my time in public service was when the I-35W bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River. My thoughts are with Baltimore and the loved ones of anyone still missing,” stated Sen. Tina Smith.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation wrote, “Our thoughts are with those injured or still missing, and with the brave first responders following this morning’s bridge tragedy in Baltimore.”
Six people are presumed dead in the early Tuesday collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said eight people were on the 1.6-mile bridge at the time of the disaster, with two rescued.
Those who remain missing are believed to be contractors who were working on the four-lane passageway spanning the Patapsco River.