Minneapolis bridge project included in governor's bonding plan

The $842 million construction plan unveiled by Gov. Mark Dayton on Tuesday includes a significant chunk of money for a Minneapolis bridge project.

The proposal includes nearly $32 million in state bonding for an overhaul of the 10th Avenue Bridge, a project Mayor Betsy Hodges has said is at the top of the city's to-do list. The entire project is expected to cost $42.5 million.

Hodges met with Dayton last month to make an appeal for the bridge work. She said then that an upgrade is long overdue, particularly because the 10th Avenue Bridge sustained heavier traffic loads during the construction of the new Interstate 35W Bridge.

The bridge's last significant update was in the 1970s. The city previously received $3.3 million in federal funds to help with the project, but had to return the money after learning that the cost of repairs would be much higher than expected.

The mayor said in a statement Tuesday that the governor's bonding bill is a "strong recognition" of the importance of major bridges.

"His inclusion of the city's full bonding request for the 10th Avenue Bridge demonstrates the need for state support of these regional assets which serve the transit needs of residents, visitors and businesses," Hodges said.

Above: Exposed rebar on the 10th Avenue Bridge in late 2014. Star Tribune photo by David Joles.