Anyone watching this who has a story of anything, I'd really like to hear it. My family lives there, and I know this area is a nightmare to drive on at rush hour.  

They are confirming seven people dead, and about 100 cars on it when it collapsed. There isn't one person in or from the Twin Cities who hasn't driven over that bridge. Anyone there could know someone involved. I know that's a horribly morbid thought, but my first thought when I heard the bridge, the hour and the word "collapse" was that anyone could be on that at that time. The 35W bridge (the "W" does not refer to west, by the way. Highway 35 splits into E and W around the Twins Cities, but it travels north and south through Minneapolis and St. Paul) straddles the East Bank and the West Bank of the University of Minnesota Campus. It's an exit from downtown Minneapolis. It connects Minneapolis to St. Paul. It's basically on top of the Metrodome. It's probably the most common portion of the state.

I'd only assume everyone in Minneapolis is feeling the same thing I am. Complete disbelief, fear for loved ones, relief in hearing others are ok, but also, the fact of how it was probably nothing more than sheer luck they weren't involved. Driving on this bridge is about as common as cranking the heat in January.

I don't think it is possible to have a more crippling disaster happen to a more vital location in the state of Minnesota. CNN calls it a "major" bridge in Minneapolis. It's "THE" bridge in Minneapolis.

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1338294.html