From its ribbon cutting in 2004, the viaduct was destined for Guinness: When finished, it had the highest road deck in Europe, the tallest piers and highest bridge tower in the world, and the longest launch of a bridge deck.

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The pontoon bridge's deck cracked open in 1989, then again in 1991.

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During a Wednesday news conference, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty described the bridge deficiencies as "minor" and said the state was told that the bridge's deck might need to be rehabilitated or replaced in 2020 or later.

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The two local authorities have agreed to share the costs of building and maintaining the steel-beamed bridge and its reinforced concrete deck.

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Everyone ran to the deck or to the bridge.

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"A structurally deficient condition is a bridge that would have a rating of 4 either in the deck, the superstructure or the substructure, " he said.

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