Lyndale bridge over I-494 to reopen

The new Lyndale Ave. bridge over Interstate 494 is expected to open to traffic by noon Saturday.

The $30 million project is the latest improvement to the freeway corridor that runs past the Mall of America. The new bridge is similar to the Penn Ave. crossing to the west, and opens up what has been one of the most congested areas in the Twin Cities.

Richfield Mayor Debbie Goettel said local businesses suffered during the reconstruction.

"But it's all about the future of the whole 494 corridor, and some of these bridges had to be upgraded," said Goettel. "It was a nightmare. People went around different ways, and cut through town and cut through our city streets on the sides to get away from it. ... I think they're going to see it in a whole different light."

Crews were waiting today for the weather to dry out so they could stripe the lanes on the bridge deck before opening it to traffic.