Firm eyed in collapse of Minn. bridge gets role in its rebuilding – The Boston Globe

ST. PAUL – The road construction company facing scrutiny and possible lawsuits over its alleged role in the deadly collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge holds one of the biggest subcontracts on the replacement.

Progressive Contractors Inc. will make nearly $3.6 million for paving and barrier work on the Mississippi River bridge project, according to records reviewed by the Associated Press. PCI was in the middle of a $2.4 million project to tear up concrete and put in a fresh road layer on the previous I-35W bridge when the span collapsed Aug. 1, killing 12 motorists and one of the company’s workers.

Federal investigators have cited a design flaw in some of the bridge’s gusset plates, but also have said that the heavy loads of construction materials PCI had placed on the bridge over the most vulnerable gussets probably contributed to the collapse. A final report by the National Transportation Safety Board on why the collapse occurred is expected in the fall.

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PCI’s contract covers paving on the approach lanes on each end of the 504-foot suspended portion of the bridge. The company is based in St. Michael, Minn.

Bob Edwards, a Flatiron-Manson assistant project manager, said PCI was selected over two other paving companies on the basis of price and qualifications.

“They had a good reputation for getting in and getting the job done,” Edwards said.