Pawlenty on offensive over bridges in Minnesota

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is on the offensive about a legislative investigation into the Aug. 1 Minneapolis bridge collapse.

“I think, frankly, that somebody’s concerned that somebody else’s conclusion doesn’t fit into their story line,” Pawlenty said.

The GOP governor said he would not name names, but it was clear he referred to Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, who last week claimed the federal bridge investigation is being tainted because its investigators are working with a private firm the state hired to run its own investigation.

Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung explained the private company has been involved in other disaster investigations, and the National Transportation Safety Board often asks it to join the federal effort.

Once the investigation is completed, the governor said, federal officials and the private group will develop their own conclusions.

The legislative probe Murphy proposed, which is to cost $500,000, will go beyond the immediate cause of the bridge collapse, looking into such things as whether there is adequate transportation funding as well as a variety of road and bridge safety issues. Pawlenty said he does not see a need for the legislative investigation.

Tags: minnesota_news, pawlenty, bridgeinvestigation