Our hearts and concerns go out to the victims on the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis.

As residents of southern Minnesota &8212; crossroads of I-35 and I-90 &8212; we tend to travel. While 100 miles in some parts of the country seems far to them, the distance seems but a usual trip for us.

With Minneapolis only 100 miles away from Albert Lea, our city&8217;s residents go there often. Many of us have traveled the I-35W bridge several times, and some have crossed it in recent days and weeks.

Pray for the victims and their friends, relatives and loved ones. Think of the rescue workers who risk life and limb to crawl among the wreckage, the extinguish blazes or dive into the river. Bless the survivors, for they lived through sudden and collective trauma &8212; imagine the bridge falling as you and your automobile fall with it.

Thank goodness Minnesotans have big hearts. The nation watches us, and they will see a great outpouring of support for the people involved, the swift recovery of the debris and a strong and safe reconstruction of this key artery in the state&8217;s infrastructure.