Project is assessing options for recreational Mississippi River bridge connecting 26th Avenue N and 18th Avenue NE
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is studying a potential new bridge and gathering space for people walking, running, biking or rolling over the Mississippi River between North and Northeast Minneapolis.
The crossing will run parallel to the existing BNSF Railway Bridge and align with the Great Northern Greenway, which spans Minneapolis from Theodore Wirth Parkway to the Minneapolis Diagonal Trail.
Today, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, a new Feasibility Report was published that looks at several factors, including:
- Neighborhood and site analyses
- Structural typologies of a new bridge
- Landscapes at either end of the new bridge
- Regulatory requirements
- Costs
- Due diligence in exploring options for using the existing BNSF Railway Bridge
This is the first step of an important project that connects communities to each other and the Mississippi River. The report notes the bridge project in North and Northeast Minneapolis is feasible, however there are several challenges to solve. Use the link below to view the report:
Mississippi River Recreational Bridge Feasibility Report
Report Conclusion
A new recreational bridge is required to realize the community-connecting bridge illustrated within the adopted plans of the MPRB, City of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County. Converting or otherwise reusing the existing 140-year-old BNSF Bridge, as previously assumed in those plans, results in a substandard user experience, costs significantly more if railway use continues, and ultimately takes years, potentially decades to negotiate and complete.
Creating a new bridge, arguably within the existing corridor of the BNSF Bridge, is a prudent and feasible option. It provides equitable connections to other communities, destinations, and natural resources, and creates a low-stress environment solely for human use, away from speeding vehicles, loud trucks, and noxious emissions. A new bridge puts North and Northeast Minneapolis communities on the river, rather than just overlooking it.
Next Phase
The next phase of work includes community engagement and developing concepts for a new bridge. The MPRB plans to host Open House events later this winter, stay tuned for details.
A target project cost, including all construction costs, studies, design and engineering, permitting, and contingencies will be developed by the MPRB using the information provided within this feasibility report. Once a target project cost is established, the remaining phases of work, from concept design through construction documentation, will create a design that matches that cost.