Weekend Closure of the Third Avenue Bridge Begins May 15
Friday, April 24, 2020 at 11:18AMVia an April 24 e-notice from MnDOT:
Weekend closure of the Third Avenue Bridge begins May 15
Beginning at 10 p.m. Fri, May 15 through 5 a.m. Mon, May 18, the Third Ave. Bridge will be fully closed so crews can prepare for the upcoming bridge work. Motorists, transit riders, and people walking and bicycling will need to use alternative routes across the river during this time.
Partial bridge closure begins mid-May
Starting Mon, May 18, the Third Ave. Bridge will be reduced to a single lane in each direction through December. Traffic will not be detoured at this time, but we encourage commuters to plan ahead and expect delays during peak travel times.
A transit-only center lane down the middle of the bridge will support buses traveling into downtown Minneapolis during the weekday morning commute. During the weekday afternoon commute, this center lane will reverse direction and support buses leaving downtown Minneapolis.
Pedestrians and bicyclists will share the protected sidewalks on the bridge. Sharing the path during the closure may require extra care while passing.
Full bridge closure starting January 2021
There will be a full closure of the bridge from January 2021 through November 2022. Motorists, transit riders, and people walking and bicycling will need to use alternative routes across the river during this time.
MnDOT road work has been identified as a critical service in Gov. Tim Walz’s Stay at Home executive order. We are being as flexible as possible with schedules during this period of lower traffic volumes to keep projects moving forward and minimize the impact to motorists. Following guidance from state and federal health officials, and to prevent further spread of COVID-19, crews will maintain social distancing practices while working.
More about this project
The historic Third Ave. Bridge over the Mississippi River near St. Anthony Falls, which opened in 1918, is in need of significant repairs. The bridge carries Third and Central avenues, which are part of Hwy 65.
Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2020 and is anticipated to be complete in August 2023.
For more information, visit the project website at: mndot.gov/metro/projects/hwy65andthirdavebridge.
Stay connected
- Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/mndot and Twitter: @mndot
- Sign up for Metro area weekend traffic impacts email updates
- Be ready. Know your route: mndot.gov/knowyourroute
- Email the project team: connect@thirdavebridgeclosure.com
- Project hotline: 612-547-7968
- For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit 511mn.org or dial 5-1-1
