Katie Couric's Notebook: Our Crumbling Bridges

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

Video:
Notebook: Collapse

The tragedy in the Twin Cities is a reminder of our fragile infrastructure -- but this bridge may be just one of 80,000 in serious trouble. How long until the next catastrophe?

Click the monitor for details.

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by gomoseley August 4, 2007 10:39 AM EDT: Hello Ms. Couric,

I am a big fan of the Evening News. Good comment on the bridges Katie, but do remember the plural for stadium is stadia not stadiums, now go slap that producer of yours.

Gordon Moseley
GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA; Reply to this comment


by dleonard123 August 3, 2007 2:15 AM EDT: phoenixandy,

With people like you in the world, it's hard for me to be an optimist. I never said or implied that we wouldn't see a disaster of this kind ever again. My simple point, which apparently wasn't simple enough for you, is that the media are going to blow this out of proportion. One bridge collapse does not prove a "crumbling infrastructure", which is a phrase like "connect the dots" that we're going to hear over and over and over again out of perky mouths.; Reply to this comment


by petersemkiw August 3, 2007 1:38 AM EDT: Dear Katie,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Minnesota affected by this horrible trajedy. Thankfully, there have also been great acts of selflessness, bravery,and heroism which have saved many lives.

In the excellent news broadcast we saw tonight,we learned the shocking details of exactly how many bridges and other infrastructures in the USA have been labeled as deficient or unsafe, and received low safety rating grades. This issue of the problems of America's infrastructures has certainly not gotten enough attention in the past, and it is unfortunate that, as with many problems, it often takes a horrific trajedy such as this, to bring these problems to national attention.

Today the Department of Transportation in Minnesota ordered immediate inspections of all bridges in that state, especially and firstly, those with a similar structure to the one that collapsed last evening. A similar order should be issued by all states to have all their bridges immediately inspected as well, and federal and state budgets have to expand their budgets to include adequate funding for the manpower necessary to conduct these inspections and make major improvements as needed. Another bridge collapse like the one in Minnesota has to be prevented at all costs.

Again, Our thoughts & prayers go out to all those affected by this trajedy,

Peter; Reply to this comment


by phoenixandy August 3, 2007 12:19 AM EDT: Wow dleonard123, aren't you the optimist! Based on your logic, I guess that was the last incident and we have nothing further to worry about! You are typical of all conservatives, you're out of touch with reality and like all conservatives, your head is in the sand.; Reply to this comment


by chancerroden August 2, 2007 10:43 PM EDT: Congress puts millions into stuff half of americans dont even know about but yet we can spend a few more million a year to start fixing the problem. We should start fixing the ageing america and stop paying for thing that are useless; Reply to this comment


by ericmichael1 August 2, 2007 10:40 PM EDT: Perhaps the interest paid each year on the national debt would help to repair and maintain critical infrastructure.

But, alas, that is another looming tragedy that we taxpayers have hidden our heads in the sand about, political suicide for any candidate who seriously wishes to win an election.

A house of cards. We would rather spend our money to respond to a problem than to prevent it in the first place.; Reply to this comment


by marie652 August 2, 2007 10:39 PM EDT: I was just watching your evening news when I saw reporters interviewing the kids that were on the school bus. As a mother I am appalled to see someone being so aggressive with their line of questioning. The children just surrived a horrific experience and the interviewer wanted to know what they were thinking and feeling. Are you kidding me? What kind of question is that? Of course they were thinking they were going to die. Did the interviewer think they were joing to say something different? I know you're looking for a good sound bit, but that was disgraceful. You want people tune into your evening news program and you have people interviewing kids with obvious questions. Leave the kids alone. If you want to interview someone, stick with the adults (not that those interviews were any better). The kids should be with their parents trying to deal with what just happened to them. Not being interviewed by someone who asks such obvious quesitons. Needless to say, this was the first and last time I will be tuning into your program.; Reply to this comment


by paholski August 2, 2007 10:17 PM EDT: What are the quilafications that the bridge inspectors hold? Are they structure engineers?
Are they state employees that passed a test to obtain this status?; Reply to this comment


by josfl August 2, 2007 10:13 PM EDT: In mid-May 1007, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (Republican) vetoed a bi-partison transportation bill. Today he ordered a comprehensive review of all bridges. Is he worried about the bridges or his poitical future?; Reply to this comment


by ericmichael1 August 2, 2007 10:11 PM EDT: The U.S. infrastructure is crumbling, as you said this evening, Katie. But to place the blame solely on the shoulders of governmental workers is unfair. We must all share the blame.

We elect those who tickle our ears. "No new taxes!" If during an election a candidate told us that the cost of repair would require serious tax increases, would we want to hear it? Would he or she win an election?

To save money, these same state and local governments lay off governmental workers to save pennies, the same governmental workers doing necessary jobs like inspecting bridges. So those governmental workers left are overburdened with too much of a workload and twindling funding to do the job they were hired to do.

We all share the blame. Shame on us all.

Eric

PS- If we are totally entrusting the government with responsibility for our protection, we are naive. Every day time and unforeseen circumstances confront us. We must each have a personal and family emergency plan and have adequate equipment, food and water to sustain ourselves until help arrives. Not just in our homes. Not just at work. In our cars as well.; Reply to this comment