Camden bridge in Minneapolis to close for repairs
The city of Minneapolis will close the Camden Bridge on Monday for six months of repair work, which is funded by federal stimulus money.
The bridge connecting north and northeast Minneapolis will close to traffic early Monday morning.
The bridge has deteriorated significantly since it was built in 1975, city officials say. The city began planning for renovations in 2004, but the project was put on hold due to lack of funding.
The city will pay for the construction with $10 million in federal stimulus money.
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"This project is a great example of how the Recovery Act is making a difference in our city and across the country," said Mayor R.T. Rybak in a statement released Friday. "It will create about 90 construction jobs this year, and the work they do will benefit us for decades. The life of the bridge will be extended at least 35 years because of this work."
City officials say that without federal funding the bridge would deteriorate further, and the city would eventually have to spend $100 million on a new bridge.
Instead, crews will replace several "fracture critical" pin and hanger connections, and install a new stormwater drainage system. Workers will also replace the bridge deck, giving it a new driving surface, sidewalks, railings, and lighting.
City officials say the repairs will reduce long-term maintenance expenses.
The Camden Bridge crosses over the Mississippi River and Interstate 94, connecting 42nd Ave. N on the west and 37th Ave. NE on the east.
The Plymouth Ave. Bridge will be the official detour route for traffic across the river. The detour for bicyclists is the Interstate 694 bridge north of the Camden Bridge.