The I-35W Mississippi River bridge was a significant structure that spanned the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving as a critical route for commuters and freight traffic. On an ordinary Wednesday evening, as motorists were returning home from work, the bridge suddenly collapsed without warning. The infrastructure, an aging steel truss bridge built in the late 1960s, had been under increased scrutiny regarding its structural integrity, but no immediate actions were taken to address its condition. The collapse resulted in 13 deaths and injured 145 individuals, as vehicles plunged into the river and onto the lanes below. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to assist with rescue operations, utilizing divers and boats to search for survivors in the water. Media coverage of the event showed harrowing images and captured the despair felt by families of the victims.

The aftermath of the collapse prompted nationwide discussions about bridge safety, funding for infrastructure repairs, and the federal government's responsibility for monitoring the condition of transportation networks. Investigations revealed long-overdue maintenance issues and outdated safety assessments, leading to a renewed focus on ensuring infrastructure resilience. Commissions and committees were established at various levels of government to assess not only the safety of bridges across the United States but also the allocation of federal funding toward improving infrastructure.

This incident served as a wake-up call about the deterioration of public infrastructure and ignited debate over the political will and financial resources dedicated to upgrading and maintaining critical transport systems. The I-35W disaster became a pivotal moment in infrastructure policy discussions, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive assessments and a strategic approach to avoid future tragedies.