Construction Co. Settles Bridge Collapse Lawsuits

BRIAN BAKST

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Victims and the families of those killed in the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis in 2007 agreed Friday to settle their lawsuits against a construction company that was resurfacing the span at the time.

About 130 people are affected by the settlement with Progressive Contractors Inc., attorneys said. Hennepin County Judge Deborah Hedlund, who approved the agreement, said financial awards for victims will be kept confidential. Thirteen people died in the collapse and 145 were injured.

Similar lawsuits are pending against an engineering company and a design firm.

A separate settlement, also approved by Hedlund, requires PCI to pay the state $1 million to resolve claims the government had against the company.

Chris Messerly, an attorney for the victims and families, said they believed the settlement was in their best interests. Kyle Hart, an attorney for PCI, confirmed the agreement and said it settled for the maximum under its insurance policy.

Jennifer Holmes, whose husband Patrick died in the collapse, said she hasn't been told yet what to expect from the settlement but she is anxious to put the bridge lawsuits behind her.