Third Avenue Bridge (Minneapolis)

The Third Avenue Bridge is a landmark structure of the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, originally known as the St. Anthony Falls Bridge. It carries road traffic across the Mississippi River and upper fringes of Saint Anthony Falls. The multi-arched bridge meets with Third Avenue in downtown Minneapolis at its south end, but curves as it crosses the river, and connects with Central Avenue on its north end. The shallow "S" curve in the bridge was built to avoid fractures in the limestone bedrock that supports the bridge piers. The road is also designated Minnesota State Highway 65. Construction began in 1914, and it opened four years later in 1918.[1] The bridge, which uses Melan arches of an open spandrel design, has been modified since that time. The 2,223-foot (667.6 m) crossing was designed by city engineer Frederick W. Cappelen, who also created plans for other similar bridges in Minneapolis such as the Franklin Avenue Bridge. It cost US$862,254.00 at the time of construction.[1]

Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge spanning the Mississippi, viewed from the northwest.
Coordinates44°59′00″N 93°15′32″W
CarriesFour lanes of MN 65
CrossesMississippi River
LocaleMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Maintained byMinnesota Department of Transportation
ID number2440
Characteristics
DesignOpen-spandrel concrete arch bridge
Total length2223 feet
Width54 feet
Longest span211 feet
Clearance below42 feet
History
Opened1918
Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge is located in Minnesota
Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge is located in the United States
Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge
Built1914-1918
Architectural styleMelan arch bridge, open spandrel
Part ofSt. Anthony Falls Historic District (ID71000438)
Designated CPMarch 11, 1971
Location

Renovation

The bridge underwent a major overhaul in 1979–1980. Another restoration is underway to extend its life 50 years with a new deck, and other improvements to barriers, railings, and lighting. As the bridge is a contributing member of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District, a goal of the project is preserving its historic design elements. The construction project began in May 2020 with partial closure of the bridge, and was fully closed to traffic on January 4, 2021. The bridge was originally anticipated to reopen November 2022,[2] but is now scheduled to reopen in the fall of 2023.[3] The project is being led by Burnsville-based Ames Construction.[4]

3rd Avenue Bridge crossing the Mississippi River into downtown Minneapolis.

See also

Notes
  1. Zschomler, Kristen for Mead & Hunt (2006). "Minnesota Historic Property Record: Third Avenue Bridge" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation (dot.state.mn.us). Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  2. "Highway 65/Third Avenue Bridge - MnDOT". Minnesota Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  3. "Highway 65/Third Avenue Bridge - MnDOT". www.dot.state.mn.us. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  4. Construction Manager/General Contractor Interim Report (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. 2020. p. 16.

References

Media related to Third Avenue Bridge (Minneapolis) at Wikimedia Commons

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