After 90 years, things start to wear out. That's the case with the 10th Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River parallel to Interstate 35W in downtown Minneapolis.
This year and next, the 2,174-foot-long bridge will be refurbished and updated to include a two-way protected bikeway and sidewalks on both sides, said Don Elwood, director of transportation engineering and design for the city of Minneapolis.
The reinforced concrete structure with its seven distinctive arches opened in 1929 and connects 10th Avenue SE. on the east side of the Mississippi River with 19th Avenue S. on the west side. The bridge, which carries about 10,000 vehicles and 2,000 pedestrians and bicyclists a day, "is an important connector for Minneapolis, linking the University of Minnesota and downtown Minneapolis," Elwood said.
It also has a number of problems. The bridge's expansion joints are leaking. So are its drainage elements, which has led to corrosion and deterioration of concrete components, particularly in the arches and support columns that have cracks and exposed rebar in places.
The sidewalks and bridge railings were replaced in the 1950s, and the driving surface was replaced in the 1970s. But not much has been done over the past 45 years.
Starting this fall, the city of Minneapolis, which owns the bridge, will spend $43 million to get it back in shape. That includes restoring the arches, columns, floor beams and piers and a new deck.
There will be effects on traffic during construction, Elwood said, especially in 2020 when the bridge is shut down for a year and drivers are put on detour.
Currently, there are two travel lanes and a bike lane in each direction, plus a sidewalk on the east side.
