West Broadway Avenue Bridges reconstruction

County Road 81 in Minneapolis and Robbinsdale

Hennepin County, in coordination with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and cities of Minneapolis and Robbinsdale, is developing a design plan for the reconstruction of the West Broadway Avenue Bridges (County Road 81) in Minneapolis and Robbinsdale.

As part of this project, we are also making improvements at the intersection below the bridges connecting Theodore Wirth and Victory Memorial parkways, as well as Oakdale and Lowry avenues (County Road 153).

Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2020.

Project overview (PDF)

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Project updates

First construction stage begins Monday, April 19

With preliminary construction work complete, crews will begin the first construction stage this Monday, April 19.

The first construction stage will include replacing the southbound West Broadway Avenue Bridge. We will also reconstruct Theodore Wirth Parkway off-ramp connection and portions of the intersection below.

Among the first activities will be the removal of the existing southbound bridge. Crews will be slowly removing and clearing the existing bridge using large cranes, excavators and dump trucks. When complete, crews will begin constructing the foundations that will support the new bridge.

There should be little to no impact on people driving on West Broadway Avenue during this first stage. Southbound traffic was moved to an adjacent bridge last year.

While we will maintain intersection access for most of this construction stage, anticipate short-term, full intersection closures for bridge removal and when setting bridge beams for the new bridge.

We expect this stage to complete this fall.

Intersection closure and possible overnight work week of April 19

For the southbound bridge removal, we will close the intersection beneath to all users. Weather permitting, we expect this closure to begin Monday, April 19 and last five days. Signed detours will help guide people. The detour routes are listed below.

Theodore Wirth and Victory Memorial parkways connection

29th Avenue
Penn Avenue (County Road 2)
34th Avenue

Oakdale and Lowry avenues connection

Penn Avenue
West Broadway Avenue
Abbott Avenue

Grand Rounds trail users

Crystal Lake Regional Trail
Abbott Avenue
West Broadway Avenue (city street)
Oakdale Avenue

Using the signed detour will keep you from experiencing additional delays and getting frustrated. And, it will help local streets stay safe for the individuals and families who live and play in the area.

A majority of the removal work happen during the workday. However, there could be overnight work for the bridge removal. We will make efforts to minimize or avoid overnight work and reduce noise.

We will have cranes and other large construction equipment, so people should anticipate noise during the work.

Intersection detour for week of April 19

Detour routes during the intersection closure. For a larger view of the detour routes, click here.

Project information

Reconstruction area

There are three bridges that are included in the West Broadway Avenue (County Road 81) Bridge reconstruction project: one for northbound traffic, one for southbound traffic and one connecting from Lowry Avenue (County Road 153) to West Broadway Avenue.

This project also offers the opportunity to make some improvements to the intersection below connecting Theodore Wirth and Victory Memorial parkways, as well as Oakdale and Lowry avenues.

Features

The improvements are the result of both an engagement effort and a design effort.

The new bridges and intersection will include:

Infrastructure improvements, including new concrete bridges, paved roadway, curbs and gutters and underground utility lines
Bike and pedestrian improvements, including pedestrian ramps that meet Americans with Disability Act standards, added trails, sidewalks and on-street bikeways, and an expanded trail connection between Lowry and West Broadway avenues
Safety improvements, including shorter crosswalk distances at the intersection, added lighting underneath the bridge and realigned lanes at ramp connections to improve sight distance and allow for safer merging

When complete, the new bridges and intersection will provide a better experience and enhance the safety of people driving in the area, as well as improve safety and connectivity for people using the trail system.

Public involvement

Thank you for your feedback!

We thank everyone who participated in the survey on how to make the bridges and intersection below work better for your community.

Below are some key findings based on 387 survey responses and feedback.

Through the survey, we found more than 51 percent of respondents walk, roll and/or bike to travel through the intersection.

When asking about concerns of the current bridges and intersection, more than 78 percent mentioned one of these three concerns. Shown in this graphic, top concerns were:

Intersection safety
Pedestrian and bicycle safety
Bridge and intersection connections

You can see the full summary of the survey results below.

West Broadway Avenue Bridges community survey results (PDF)

Preliminary design available

Using your feedback, we created preliminary designs with community-focused improvements for the new bridges and intersection.

Some of the improvements include:

Shortened trail crossings providing safer intersection crosswalks for people walking, biking and rolling.
Redesigned ramp connections allowing for improved sight distance and safer merging.
Improved trail connections providing additional access for people walking, biking and rolling to regional trails nearby.

Details of all the proposed improvements can be found below:

Community focused improvements (PDF)

View of the intersection from Oakdale Avenue

View of the preliminary intersection design from Oakdale Avenue - rendering (PDF)

View of the intersection from Theodore Wirth Parkway

View of the preliminary intersection and bridge design from Theodore Wirth Parkway - rendering (PDF)

Join us in the community this summer

See preliminary designs and meet project staff

We have been active in the local community since early June, participating in events like the Jordan Week of Kindness and Live on the Drive. We met area residents like you to share proposed improvements and answered questions.

You will continue to see us out in the community and at events throughout the summer.

We look forward to seeing you at one of these upcoming events.

Coalition of Asian-American Leaders advocacy training and community involvement

University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center - 2001 Plymouth Avenue, Minneapolis
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Wednesday, June 26

Victory Neighborhood annual ice cream social

Victory Park - 4414 Upton Avenue, Minneapolis
7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, June 26

Live on the Drive concert series

Victory Memorial Parkway - 34th and Xerxes avenues, Minneapolis
6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 11 and Thursday, August 8

Look for us at more summer events

There will be additional opportunities, including a project open house, to meet with project staff and learn more about the project. Event updates will be posted on this page.

Project leadership and partners

Hennepin County

Jay Hill, P.E. LS
Civil Engineer
jay.hill@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-842-9469

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Jon Duesman, P.E.
jduesman@minneapolisparks.org

City of Minneapolis

Chris Kartheiser
Transportation planner
chris.kartheiser@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2544

Matthew Dyrdahl
Bicycle and pedestrian coordinator
matthew.dyrdahl@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-3642

City of Robbinsdale

Richard McCoy, P.E.
City engineer
rmccoy@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us
Phone: 763-531-1260

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