3rd Avenue Bridge reopens after more than 2 years of preservation work
Updated: Oct. 28, 6:50 p.m. | Posted: Oct. 27, 9:45 a.m.
Dozens of people gathered on the historic Third Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis on Saturday to celebrate its reopening, and the reconnection of another route across the Mississippi River.
The more-than-century-old span has been closed since early 2021 for a repair and renovation project. While the bridge was scheduled to partially reopen last fall, the reopening was delayed due to additional concrete repairs on the arches.
At the celebration on Saturday, local officials and those involved in the bridge’s construction lauded the people that made it happen.
“It's been a long three-and-a-half-year road for us to get here, working through rain, snow, heat,” said John Schmitz, project manager with Ames Construction. “Guys working 60, 70, 80 hours a week, up to 200 people at times around the clock.”
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“People who live around here saw that. The tremendous amount of effort, blood, sweat and tears … but people really worked hard here to get us where we are today.”
Transportation commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said crews made major repairs to every part of the bridge. The estimated $129.3 million project entailed removing and replacing 30,000 tons of concrete.
Work preserved the bridge’s artistic and historic features, while improving the road surface and upgrading facilities for cyclists and pedestrians – new lighting for safety and wider paths on both sides protected by concrete barriers. The bridge maintains two vehicle lanes in each direction.
The construction and preservation activities will extend the bridge's service life for another 50 years.
“This bridge has been such an important part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota and the City of Minneapolis for over 105 years,” Daubenberger said. “We're happy the bridge will be reopening and reconnecting the communities of Northeast and downtown Minneapolis after being closed for nearly three years.”
Area residents marveled at the reopening at the free event on Saturday, which included music, a food truck, games, a chance to see construction equipment up-close and tours of the bridge.
“It’s just beautiful,” smiled Theresa Valento. She has seen crews work on the bridge for years from home, and looks forward to getting outside more.
“I can see myself doing more walking, even across and then back. It's just so nice and open and easy,” she said.
The Third Avenue Bridge is expected to serve as a detour when the nearby Stone Arch Bridge is closed for repairs beginning April 2024.