New 35W bridge memorial vandalized
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The new 35W bridge memorial has been vandalized, just a couple of days after its dedication.
The memorial's architect, Tom Oslund, says about two dozen letters were pulled from the stone face of the memorial. He noticed the apparent vandalism Wednesday morning when he visited the site.
Oslund did not call police. However, city officials say police are investigating the incident, which they say must have occurred sometime between late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
The memorial was dedicated earlier this week on the 4th anniversary of the 35W bridge collapse, which killed 13 people and injured more than 100.
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Located near Gold Medal Park, it overlooks the spot on the Mississippi River where the bridge collapsed.
Public officials, including Gov. Mark Dayton, spoke at the memorial service.
Family and friends of the 13 victims and the 145 survivors watched from a reserved area in front as a color guard took their places. Dozens of law enforcement officers, fire fighters and other first responders, some of whom had raced to the scene of the collapsed bridge four years ago, stood nearby.
The memorial includes 13 steel girders in honor of the people who died in the collapse.
Oslund says he's disappointed, and can't believe someone would do this. He says all the lettering from the wall will be taken down until the new letters can be replaced in a few weeks.
