Minn. legislators creating I-35W fund

Minnesota lawmakers have agreed to create a $38 million fund to compensate victims of the Interstate-35W bridge collapse disaster, officials say.

State officials worked together to finalize the proposal Friday and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty immediately backed the compensatory effort, the Star Tribune in Minneapolis reported Saturday.

The fund would limit most individual victim claims from the Aug. 1, 2007, accident at $400,000, but additional money would be made available for those who were "extraordinarily impacted" by the bridge collapse disaster.

Thirteen people were killed when the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis fell without warning during rush hour. More than 100 others suffered injuries.

Kimberly Brown, who was among those injured when the truss arch bridge tumbled down, offered a concise response to the new legislative effort.

"I think it's awesome," Brown told the Star Tribune.

The compensatory proposal will face a formal legislative vote as early as Monday, the newspaper said.

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