Lyndale Avenue Bridge Closing

By Hennepin County

January 12, 2012 -- Construction on the replacement Lyndale Avenue Bridge begins Tuesday, Jan. 17, which is two weeks earlier than planned.

The Lyndale Avenue Bridge will be closed to traffic while the new bridge is constructed, and a signed detour will be posted. The bridge closure is scheduled to last through October of this year. Reconstruction of Lyndale Avenue from the bridge south to 56th Street will begin in the spring and the road will remain open to traffic during reconstruction.

“This is an earlier start to construction than we had previously planned, but the mild winter and completion of all necessary approvals means that our crews can get to work,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman.

“We’re very pleased that the final phases of Lyndale Avenue construction will be substantially complete this construction season. It’s been a long haul for the community, but the end’s in sight.”

The official signed detour routes are:

• South bound traffic – West on 50th Street to Penn Avenue, south on Penn Avenue to 54th Street, east on 54th Street to Lyndale Avenue.
• North bound traffic – West on 54th Street to Penn Avenue, north on Penn Avenue to 50th Street, east on 50th Street to Lyndale Avenue.

East and west bound Minnehaha Parkway will remain open during the bridge construction project. Bike and pedestrian paths along Minnehaha Creek will also remain open, except for the trail portion under the bridge, which is currently closed and will remain so until the bridge is complete.

The Lyndale Avenue Bridge reconstruction will include the traffic lanes, improved intersection controls, sidewalks, ornamental railings, lighting, and the pedestrian and bicycle access paths that connect Minnehaha Creek and the Parkway. Any trees, vegetation or signage disturbed during construction will be replaced.

Funding is provided by property taxes, state and federal aid, county road bonds, the Local Bridge Replacement Program, the Hennepin County Roadside Enhancement Partnership Program, and City of Minneapolis.