Third Avenue Bridge and Father Hennepin Bluff Park Projects Updates

Submitted by Doug Verdier

Excellent weather conditions enabled construction crews on both the Third Avenue Bridge and Father Hennepin Bluff Park projects to move along well.

The four tower cranes were removed from the bridge project a couple weeks ago, but smaller mobile cranes picked up the slack as additional concrete repairs on the bridge arches and one of the bridge bases continued. The photos that follow illustrate the sort of work being done in the past week.

Smaller and more mobile cranes were positioned in a variety of places on the bridge deck as needed for the work going on. Notice the red U-shaped steel device that is lowered by crane and inserted between spandrels to perform certain operations on the sides of the vertical spandrels and above where the lower section is inserted. Also visible in this image is the dried up spillway that has been created to permit work on the base of the pier above.

A closer look at the red platform being inserted between spandrels.

Temporary work platforms provide workers access to the underside of the bridge and arches so they can remove damaged concrete and make repairs. These also serve as the first layer of environmental protection, keeping debris from falling into the river while the contractors do their work. The area around the bridge pier base on the right in this photo is being prepared for a new reinforced concrete exterior to be constructed to a depth below the normal water line. Forms can be seen in place on a temporary crushed rock area surrounding the pier prior to being placed on the pier base over the steel reinforcing rods that have been put in place.

Meanwhile, at Father Hennepin Bluff Park, a variety of new trees are being planted as part of the overall landscaping plan.

With the new park outdoor pavilion nearing completion, a worker is putting mulch around the base of one of the many newly planted trees. More landscaping in this area continues. The side of the new performance stage is visible behind the worker planting the tree, while restrooms are in the back of the structure near the yellow door and worker in a yellow shirt.

New pathways are being installed throughout the park. This image shows a section of the path and a couple of new trees.

Unrelated to these two projects, but definitely worth sharing:

The brilliant red of the maple tree along Main Street near the iron bridge to Nicollet Island Inn jumps out at anyone passing by. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and even a couple vehicles stopped at the intersection to take photos. It’s a great relaxing place to just pause and enjoy nature and Fall in Minnesota.