Prometheus 6

You remember what happened when he visited New Orleans, right?

Nothing.

Bush Visits Site of Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis
By PAM BELLUCK

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 4 — President Bush surveyed the pancaked concrete, contorted steel and hulks of half-sunken cars Saturday morning on a visit to the bridge that collapsed over the Mississippi River.

Expressing condolences to the families of the victims and “prayers to those who wonder about whether they’ll ever see a loved one again,” the president promised to make it a priority to rebuild the bridge “in a way that not only expedites the flow of traffic but in a way that can stand the test of time.”

Mr. Bush took a 10-minute helicopter tour of the wreckage, where he could see the remains of a school bus, a truck and other vehicles. In a light rain, divers continued the painstaking search for the bodies of approximately eight people believed to be missing. Five people were confirmed dead in the accident and about 100 were injured.

“Our message to the Twin Cities is we want to get this bridge rebuilt as quick as possible,” the president said. “We understand this is a main artery of life here, that people count on this bridge, this highway system, to get to work.”

He said that “out of these tragedies can come a better life,” and said of the people in Minnesota, “not only are they committed to a better life, not only are they committed to turning something ugly into good, but it’s going to happen.”

The federal government has already pledged $5 million to help remove debris and to reroute traffic around the collapsed bridge. And the House has approved $250 million to help rebuild the bridge.