A year after the collapse of the 35W bridge, what strikes me is how that event was the most serious and tragic example of the needs of our aging transportation system.

The interstate and highway system in the U.S. was built in the 50's and 60's to survive decades - yes - but not with the traffic load that we have today.

The engineers at the time didn't foresee that and politicians and policy leaders didn't recognize the problems until just recently.

A few years ago, a transportation group here in the Twin Cities launched an advertising and public relations campaign to make some changes and enact funding increases in the Legislature but it had little effect.

Unfortunately, it took the loss of lives and a powerful sense of shock to bring the transportation crisis to the forefront.

There's really no need to fingerpoint. We Americans have faith - well-placed - in the systems we have created. But while vision, spirit and good intentions last forever, concrete does not.

Let's hope this investment goes on for a few decades more.