Major Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

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MINNEAPOLIS — The I-35W highway bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during evening rush hour Wednesday, sending many cars and motorists into the water.

Authorities tell Fox News that there are between 20- 30 people in the river while witnesses told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that at least 20 cars may have been involved.

Tons of concrete have collapsed and survivors are being carried up the riverbank. Both the northbound and southbound lanes of 35W are lying in the Mississippi River, according to local CBS affiliate WCCO-com.

Pieces of bridge wreckage lay on the east bank of the river, while large portions of concrete roadway lay on the west bank. Rescuers are scrambling to help people caught on parts of the roadway in the river gorge, according to the Star-Tribune.com.

There are multiple cars still in the river and a couple cars on fire. According to one witness, there was a school bus full of children on the bridge, according to reports.

The eight-lane, 1,950-feet-long bridge is located near University Avenue connects downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota.

The entire span of the 35W bridge collapsed about 6:05 p.m. where the freeway crosses the river near University Avenue.

Some people are stranded on parts of the bridge that aren't completely in the water.

A tractor-trailer is on fire at the collapse scene.

Star-tribune.com reported that workers have been improving the 40-year-old bridge’s surface as part of repairs to that part of the interstate.