As this issue of the newsletter goes to press, another ASCE season is winding down and we’re heading into summer. It seems our civil engineering issues have been front and center almost nonstop this year. Late last September, our monthly program was a somber one about the tragic I-35W bridge collapse. We were thinking that our next September program would be a construction tour of the replacement bridge. As it looks now, it may actually be a post-ribbon-cutting commemoration. On another positive note, the gas tax was finally increased and a supplemental metro sales tax for transit was enacted, as a result of a veto override during the frenetic early days of the just-concluded legislative session.

For ASCE we’ve had a number of big moments locally, including our section’s History & Heritage Committee winning a national award, our nominee Timothy LaPara, of the U of MN, being named the Minnesota Young Engineer of the Year, and the U of MN’s CE Department hosting the inaugural conference of ASCE’s newly-formed Engineering Mechanics Institute. The History & Heritage Committee continues working to attain ASCE historic landmark status for the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory during its 70th anniversary year. It’s also worth mentioning that the U of MN CE Department will soon be marking its 100th anniversary. These are just a few of the major highlights!

As it does every year, the board will hold a day-long meeting this July to make major plans for the upcoming year. If you have any suggestions, please be sure to pass them along to any board member.

In the mean time, I wish everyone a productive and enjoyable summer.

Jeff Peltola
Minnesota Section President

Since 1996 ASCE has annually selected a member to spend one year working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, in the middle of important policy debates on issues related to civil engineering. The Congressional Fellow works as a staff member of either a committee or an individual member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. ASCE provides the stipend.

During the first two weeks of September, Jeff will participate in an orientation program, organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science on behalf of numerous science and engineering societies. For a variety of reasons, not the least of which being the national elections, Jeff plans on starting his fellowship year in January 2009.

Congratulations Jeff!

Several months ago it was reported in the news that the Minnesota State Legislature was hiring a law firm to investigate the tragic I-35W bridge collapse. Although it was not obvious then, or now, why they wanted to hire a law firm to investigate the subject, they did, and the report was released on Wednesday, May 21, 2008. (It is available at www.startribune.com/a4410.)

While the report is voluminous ("15-inch high pile of paper"), four "key moments that preceded the collapse" were indicated. Briefly, these key points were:

1. Not learning from the 1996 "gusset plates [that] buckled" on a similar bridge located in Ohio.

2. The 2006 decision "to back away from pushing for an ambitious – and costly – re-decking of the [original] bridge."

3. A MnDOT consultant’s mention of the need for a structural review of the bridge’s gusset plates.

4. A 2003 photograph that showed a gusset plate had bowed on the bridge structure.

Are there any lessons that we in the civil engineering community might learn from this report? Very likely there are. For example:

1. The need for civil engineers to read the civil engineering trade journal publications and attend civil engineering conferences (or otherwise be aware of what is being reported in both of these manners).

2. As civil engineers, whether funds are available or not, bring to the attention of policy makers the potential risks of delaying or otherwise postponing needed maintenance work related to our nation’s civil works.

3. When suggestions are made, whether from an independent consultant or internal staff, adequately assess the risks of the various actions available in response to those suggestions.

4. Communicate the findings of routine or special investigations, whether they are part of construction inspection activities or post-construction maintenance activities.

Although the report may have been prepared by a law firm, there may be a silver lining for civil engineers. For example, it cannot be said that the report is "self-serving since it was prepared by engineers." Who knows? The public may just wake up and realize that engineers, civil engineers in particular, do provide value to society and are indeed working with too few resources to provide a safe and dependable infrastructure

By Dennis Martenson

On May 8, 2008, the ASCE Younger Members Group, in conjunction with the Minnesota Section, took a tour of Twins Ballpark and Northstar Commuter Rail projects. About 65 participants met in the Mortenson Construction job site trailer for a coordination presentation on both these dynamic projects. Chuck Ballentine, Deputy Coordinator for the Hennepin County Ballpark Authority, gave a presentation on the overall project. Kenny Horns of HGA and Mark Maves of URS presented us with a brief overview of the civil engineering design of this project. Finally, Paul Danielson, project manager of the Northstar Commuter Rail and LRT extension projects, and Lisa Rasmussen of Kimley-Horn spoke about their portions of the project. The visit concluded with guided tours of the site by Mortenson representatives.

Thank you to all who attended the tour. Special thanks go to our planning team for all the time they put into coordinating this tour, including: Mortenson Construction, Hennepin County, Minnesota Ballpark Authority, Northstar Commuter Rail, Richardson, Richter & Associates, HGA, URS, and Kimley-Horn and Associates. Particular appreciation to Karen Lange and the Mortenson site staff for allowing such a large group of engineers to tour their site. For pictures of the tour, please go to: http://conphoto.net/Twins10.html

New ASCE life members were recognized at the April 16 section meeting (4 new life members seen here with Wayne Klotz and ASCE past president Dennis Martensen)

National ASCE President-Elect Wayne Klotz met with civil engineering students at the U of M on April 16, 2008. President-Elect Klotz discussed the future for civil engineers, his vision for ASCE, and questions from the students.

7th Annual ASCE Golf Scramble

Participate in ASCE Elected Office Inventory

Younger Member Group

Sign up for a daily briefing designed for civil engineers, FREE

Participate in ASCE's Salary Survey

2008 ASCE Minnesota Historic Works Calendar Now Available Online!