City will use $10M in stimulus to repair Camden Bridge

City officials will use $10 million in federal stimulus money to repair the aging Camden Bridge in north Minneapolis.

"The bridge has deteriorated to the point that it is in need of repairs to maintain public safety," a statement from city officials said. The bridge needs new "fracture critical" pins, hanger connections, and traffic rails.

The Camden Bridge, built in 1975, runs across the Mississippi River at 42nd Avenue N and 37th Avenue N.E.

Planning for the rehabilitation project began in 2004, but was put on hold due to lack of funding. City officials said that construction work needs to begin soon, before the bridge falls into further disrepair. A new bridge could cost over $100 million.

The rehabilitation will include replacement of expansion joints and approach panels, full deck replacement, a new drainage system, crash railing, sidewalks, pedestrian railings, and repainting.

The project is expected to begin in early 2010. City officials estimate that the repairs will create about 90 construction jobs. The work will add 35 years to the life of the bridge, officials said.

The bridge will be completely closed during the nine-month construction period, in an effort to speed up repairs.