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The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis opened Monday afternoon. The rehabilitation project was completed much sooner than previously anticipated.   

Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger celebrated the opening at a ribbon cutting ceremony on the bridge used by pedestrians and bikers.

“I want to give kudos for the contractors for working so diligently,” Daubenberger said. “I do understand that we had a mild winter last year and more work was able to continue through the winter than what was previously anticipated when we laid out the schedule.”

The Department of Transportation completed $138 million worth of renovation and restoration work on the project. The landmark bridge was built by railroad magnate James J. Hill to carry trains over the Mississippi River.

Eighty percent of the project was funded by federal transportation dollars.

“The general obligation bonds and Minnesota rail service improvement program funds from the state legislature to match those federal funds,” Daubenberger said. 

Daubenberger was flanked by Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

“There is a great comeback that we are experiencing right now, and the Stone Arch Bridge is emblematic of the extraordinary city that we have right here,” said Frey. 

Frey left the ribbon cutting ceremony before members of the press were able to ask questions. 

Walz was asked to comment on the DFL endorsement of Sen. Omar Fateh, one of Frey’s competitors in the mayoral race, over the weekend.

“Some of you might know, with my history with endorsements, I don’t put a lot of time on them,” Walz joked. Walz was not the endorsed candidate for governor when he won in 2018. 

Walz would not say if he would endorse a mayoral candidate. 

“I would just say that I have had the privilege of working with Mayor Frey for quite a few years here, and this was another example of that,” Walz said. 

A more formal public celebration of the reopening will happen on Aug. 9.

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Clay Masters

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Restoration work was completed early on the landmark bridge in Minneapolis. State and local leaders held a celebratory ribbon cutting Monday afternoon.

A view of the skyline with the bridge streching forward.

The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis reopens ahead of schedule

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