Stone Arch Bridge slated to be closed this week for electrical repairs

Minneapolis may see a long-awaited temperature spike this week, but residents will have to wait a few days to enjoy it out on the Stone Arch Bridge.

Maintenance and repairs on overhead power lines will close the downtown pedestrian and bike bridge Friday, Monday and Tuesday, as Xcel Energy crews work between the towers at Gold Medal Park and Boom Island Park.

"It's closed for some safety issues," Minneapolis Parks Department spokeswoman Robin Smothers said. "We don't want anything falling on people."

The bridge is slated to be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the scheduled days, but the closure could end sooner if Xcel finishes its work early.

The repairs were originally planned for earlier this week, but the schedule was pushed back due to the unseasonably wintry forecast. Smothers expects the maintenance may again be delayed if poor weather continues to be an issue.

The Parks Department is posting detours near the bridge, directing people away from work areas, and sent e-mails with updates on the bridge closing.

"It's rarely closed," Smothers said. "We're doing everything we can to let people know of the repairs because we know how popular [the bridge] is."