Latest news with #MnDOT
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Minneapolis' Stone Arch Bridge reopens Monday, months ahead of schedule
An iconic Minneapolis landmark undergoing construction has reopened months ahead of schedule. The Stone Arch Bridge closed in April 2024 and was originally scheduled to open in spring 2026. Earlier this month, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced it would open on Aug. 9 but officials then said that the bridge would open on Monday. Crews were working to repair stone and motor to slow the bridge's deterioration. During construction, pedestrians were able to go to the middle of the bridge, but had to turn around at the closure point. Gov. Tim Walz, along with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will announce the reopening of the bridge on Monday at 2 p.m. There will also be a family-friendly event to celebrate the reopening on Aug. 9 featuring food trucks, live entertainment and more. The bridge was built in 1883 as a railroad project, bringing 80 passenger trains a day to downtown Minneapolis at its peak, according to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Hennepin County bought the bridge for $1,001 in 1989 and ownership of the bridge transferred to the state in the 90s, when it was converted into a pedestrian bridge.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
MnDOT answers your summer road construction questions
Minnesotans say there are two seasons in the state: winter and road construction. This year, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has more summer projects, and motorists are weighing in with their displeasure on social media and to some lawmakers. All the delays have many wondering if MnDOT could handle these projects differently. One big question: Why are there often only a few workers — if any — on construction sites? Anne Meyer with MnDOT says it depends on the stage of that project. "There is a lot of work that can't necessarily happen all at once. Things need to settle, we need to test things to make sure that it's the right projects that we are paying for," said Meyer. She said work happens in a limited window due to weather. "Here in Minnesota, weather does impact when we can start construction and when we can end construction, and sometimes dictates what we can do in between," she said. Lawmakers are also asking questions about the flood of construction projects, including Republican state Rep. Andrew Myers, who represents the western suburbs. He wrote a letter to state transportation commissioner Nancy Daubenberger expressing concern, and asking why work isn't being done 24 hours a day on some sites. "We do have maintenance crews that are out there ready to work 24/7 a day, but that can be more challenging on a project," said Meyer. "Certainly, the costs go up. Certainly, the safety factor is another area." MnDOT encourages drivers to visit their website or use the MN511 app for the latest on construction projects and road conditions.
CBS News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
St. Paul music festival to draw tens of thousands of visitors amid major road closures
A combination of major road closures, rail maintenance and a high-attendance music festival is creating a perfect storm of traffic and transit delays in the Twin Cities. This week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is preparing to close the reversible E-ZPass lanes on Interstate 394 between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100. The closure, which begins the evening of July 27, is part of a two-year construction project to repair 34 bridges. "There is, you know, a few weeks of overlap where we have impacts out there," a MnDOT representative said. "So, you know... telling people to just plan ahead." The E-ZPass shutdown follows a weekend of closures along Interstate 94 east and Interstate 694 west. Officials warn that traffic volumes will be heavier during peak periods as vehicles are funneled into regular lanes. "We definitely understand the impact construction has on drivers… we're all metro residents too," the MnDOT spokesperson said. "We're really trying to balance construction's short-term pain… to get some long-term, critical improvements." Meanwhile, the Green Line light rail is temporarily closed for maintenance, leaving many riders to rely on bus service, often in uncomfortable heat. "It'd be hot. And it's getting way hotter than what it usually be," said Jayon Brady, who normally takes the train. "The train was better money-wise, if you're trying to save money and get from A to B cheaper." The closures are also affecting businesses in downtown St. Paul, where the Yacht Club Festival is expected to draw around 35,000 people over the weekend. At Allery's, a nearby bar, staff are offering free parking and running a continuous shuttle to and from the concert venue. "We have three shuttles that will be running continuously to and from the event," said Brian Raiche, a manager at Allery's. "It's free parking all weekend, too." Despite the disruptions, Raiche says they're ready for the crowds. MnDOT encourages drivers to check for updates, avoid cutting through local roads and allow extra travel time during closures. Construction on I-394 is expected to continue through fall 2026.
Axios
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Buckle up: More Twin Cities commute pain ahead
Daily commutes downtown could get a lot worse starting Monday. Driving our pain: MnDOT is kicking off a fresh construction and paving project on I-94 and I-394, bringing lane closures and more bottlenecks to the west end of downtown. What to expect: A "giant cone zone stretching from Dunwoody College to the University of Minnesota," as the Star Tribune put it, with overnight lane closures on eastbound I-394 between Penn Ave. and Dunwoody Blvd. through July 28. E-ZPass lanes between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100 will close starting at the end of the month. The big picture: The work, expected to last through November, comes at the peak of a busy summer road construction season in the metro, which includes another ongoing project that has slowed traffic on 94 between Minneapolis and St. Paul for months. Highway 55, a typical alternate route for 394, will also be under construction. Plus: The combination of drivers trying to go around the construction zones and local road repair projects has jammed up side roads, including East Lake Street and Marshall Avenue, for months. Zoom out: MnDOT's summer to-do list includes roughly 180 projects aimed at shoring up the state's roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure. Other recent construction zones include the I-494 bridge over the Minnesota River and a stretch of 494 between MSP Airport and Highway 100. What they're saying: In a statement to Axios, MnDOT said it's trying to balance minimizing disruptions with completing "critical infrastructure" work during the state's "short construction season." The agency noted that it delayed the I-394 work to reduce overlap with the construction happening to the east of downtown Minneapolis. Between the lines: While it may seem like there's more construction than usual this summer, the number of projects is fairly typical, per the Star Tribune. The bottom line:"Plan ahead, work earlier or later, work from home," Tim Nelson, director of construction for MnDOT's Metro District, told the Star Tribune.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mendota Bridge's new railings getting a rethink after concerns from cyclists
After being closed for renovation most of last summer, the bike trail on the Mendota Bridge will close again in summer 2026 for a construction project to raise the bridge's guardrail height — back to where it was before. The Mendota Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2024, its bike and pedestrian railing was replaced as part of a bridge rehabilitation project and the railing was lowered to its historical height, 42 inches. That's the minimum height standard for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Since then, however, Twin Cities bicyclists have raised concerns about the new railing. Many commented on a local biking Facebook page about the lower height, calling it 'frightening' and 'sketchy.' 'It's low enough that if a strong wind or encounter with a passing cyclist happened to knock you sideways, you could possibly go right over the top of the railing and off the bridge,' said Zack Mensinger, chair of the St. Paul Bicycle Coalition. After a review, MnDOT has decided to raise the railing to the department's standard height of 54 inches. It will add a structure on top of the existing railing to give it the extra height. The project will cost $2.5 million and is scheduled for summer into fall of 2026. Money from the project will come from state road construction funds for bridge projects, according to MnDOT. Jennie Hinz is a communications officer for MnDOT. 'So much goes into these projects, and we do care so much about safety and construction and historic preservation,' Hinz said. 'When we did hear concerns, we went back and reviewed it, and then had to work through all of those historic guidelines again. So it's not an easy fix.' Hinz said the 2024 railing renovation was partially funded by the Federal Highway Administration. Historic bridge work must comply with federal requirements called 'The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.' These standards include minimal changes to the historical characteristics of the structure. Hinz said the railing was lowered as part of efforts to preserve the historical characteristics of the bridge. CJ Lindor, education manager at Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, said the alliance is part of the Minnesota Advisory Council on Traffic Safety and the Active Transportation Advisory Committee. Lindor said neither of these committees were consulted about the 2024 project ahead of time. 'The realization of how the project would look didn't land until it was basically completed already and reopened,' Lindor said. Hinz said MnDOT typically does not have public engagement on bridge preservation projects. The trail over the bridge will be closed next summer into fall 2026. Andy Singer, former co-chair of the St. Paul Bicycle Coalition, said the construction cuts off a major route for cyclists trying to travel to and from the west side of St. Paul. St. Paul resident Jeremy Norton biked across the renovated Mendota Bridge for the first time Wednesday. He said he didn't think the railing was too low, and that the concerns might be an issue of 'perception of safety versus actual safety.' Second teen dies after Eagan crash; State Patrol says vehicles were racing Apple Valley police ask for help in finding suspect in fatal stabbing Second defendant admits to role in fatal shooting of South St. Paul father during marijuana robbery Suburban restaurant group hires former Revival, Corner Table chef Thomas Boemer Minneapolis man charged with May shooting at Apple Valley park 'You'd have to be having a really bad day to get flung off the side,' he said. Jim Tucker of Minneapolis said he has been biking over the Mendota Bridge for about 50 years. He also said he wasn't concerned about the new guardrail height. 'It's OK. It's all brand-new,' Tucker said. 'I remember when it used to be all rusted.' Mensinger, of the St. Paul Bicycle Coalition, said he's glad the railings are being raised, even if it requires closing the bike lanes again. 'While I'm glad the issue is getting addressed, it's really disappointing that MnDOT staff didn't think things through better initially,' Mensinger said. For more information on the project, visit
