Minn. bridge collapse has NJ drivers concerned

In light of the deadly Minnesota bridge collapse, many New Jersey residents are concerned about the bridges they drive over every day in the Garden State. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation,

News 12 Staff

Aug 3, 2007, 1:26 PM

Updated 6,247 days ago

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In light of the deadly Minnesota bridge collapse, many New Jersey residents are concerned about the bridges they drive over every day in the Garden State.
According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, there are 6,500 bridges in the state. Harry Capers, former chief bridge engineer for the NJ DOT, said while there are similar bridges in New Jersey to the Minnesota bridge, any issues have been addressed through thorough inspections.
Capers said federal regulations require all bridges to be inspected at least every two years. He said those inspections can increase depending on the condition of the bridge to keep all drivers safe. According to Capers, the National Bridge Inspection System does categorize some bridges as structurally deficient, however, that doesn?t mean the bridges are not safe.
Meanwhile, Minnesota officials have begun recovery efforts at the site of the collapse. Divers have been taking pictures of license plates of cars submerged in the Mississippi River. So far, at least four people are dead and as many as 30 people are still missing.For an interview with the former Department of Transportation chief of New Jersey bridges, go to iO Extra channel 612.Gov. wants status report on NJ Bridges
Gov. Corzine's statement on New Jersey bridges
Additional coverage of the Minnesota bridge collapse:President Bush comments on the Minnesota bridge collapseCNN/CNN affiliate coverage of Minnesota bridge collapseFootage of Minnesota bridge collapse ? Courtesy of CNNFootage of bridge collapse aftermath