Hurray! Franklin Avenue Bridge Scheduled to Open Thursday Evening, September 1!
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at 4:02PM
Via an August 31 Hennepin County News Release:
Franklin Avenue Bridge reopens to traffic Thursday, September 1
The Franklin Avenue Bridge (County Road 5) will reopen to traffic on the evening of Thursday, September 1. The bridge has been closed since May so that crews could remove and replace the deck.
The restored bridge features a new driving surface for motorists, as well as dedicated and separated bicycle and pedestrian lanes on both sides of the bridge. The bridge also has vertically-oriented concrete rails, like the ones originally used on the bridge. Reproductions of historic lights have been added.
The bridge deck was constructed using the Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) method to reduce the duration of the traffic closure. More than 360 deck panels were constructed upstream at Bohemian Flats. This summer, the panels were floated down the Mississippi River and hoisted into place.
Other improvements to the bridge are needed to restore deteriorated areas of the bridge, prevent future degradation due to road salt and other exposure and to preserve the structural integrity and historical nature of the concrete arches. This work began last year and will continue after the deck reopens.
For the next few months, there will be intermittent lane closures for motorists. And bicyclists and pedestrians will only be able to use one side of the bridge at a time. These closures are needed as crews finish work, as well as remove temporary structures needed for the deck replacement and utility work.
For more information about the project, visit www.hennepin.us/franklinbridge.
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Here are some pictures from an August 31 project update email:
The northern (westbound) pedestrian and bike lanes separated from the motor vehicle traffic. These lanes are protected from the vehicles with a concrete wall topped with a steel rail. This layout is repeated on the other side of the bridge. The outer bridge railing is now vertically-oriented concrete rails, like the ones used on the original bridge. Reproductions of historic lights have also been added.
A view of the motor vehicle traffic lanes.
A look from the bridge approaching the intersection of East River Parkway.
The final photo shows the western approach with painted bike lane.
