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Companies aim to dismiss part of Minn. bridge suit

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January 5, 2009 06:30 PM EST | AP

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — An engineering firm that analyzed the Interstate 35W bridge and a construction company that was resurfacing the span when it collapsed have asked a judge to dismiss parts of four lawsuits from victims.

URS Corp. of San Francisco and Progressive Contractors Inc. of St. Michael, Minn., say members of the public cannot sue for breach of a state contract. The companies contracted with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The companies say the case should be tried on the negligence issue alone. URS also denies it was negligent.

The 2007 bridge collapse killed 13 people and injured 145.

The filings in Hennepin County District Court respond to lawsuits on behalf of three injured people and the family of a truck driver who died.