Minneapolis’ New Bridge Premieres

This Aug. 11, 2008 photo is of concrete being poured on the southbound lanes at Span 4 (north end of the bridge). The new name for the bridge is I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge. Photo: MnDOT

The I-35W Bridge collapse in Minneapolis seems “ages” ago. It occurred Aug. 1, 2007. Now, just 13 months later at a Sept. 15, 2008 press conference on the new bridge, Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Sorel announced the bridge open to traffic beginning Sept. 18. at 5 a.m.

On hand for the press conference was U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, members of the U.S. Congressional and Senate delegations, state legislators, local officials, Mn/DOT leaders and members of the bridge design-build team.

Wavy concrete sculptures on both ends of the bridge indicate where vehicles are now over water, the Mississippi, that is.

The bridge has a new name: I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge. The project contractors, Flatiron-Manson, began bridge construction Oct. 15, 2007. It took the builders only 337 days to complete the project. The crews worked seven days a week, including holidays. The bridge designer was FIGG Bridge Engineers.

Other partners who helped make the project possible include the Federal Highway Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources, the city of Minneapolis and Hennepin County.

The new span employs “smart bridge” technology. There are 323 sensors for easier and more comprehensive monitoring of the bridge’s structural integrity.

Bridge Specs . . .