Historic bridge connecting northeast to downtown Minneapolis closes this weekend

Josie Smith

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A bridge closure in Minneapolis could inconvenience some drivers this weekend.

The Third Avenue/Highway 65 Bridge connecting northeast to downtown Minneapolis closes at 8 p.m. Friday.

The historic bridge over the Mississippi River near St. Anthony Falls opened in 1918 and the Minnesota Department of Transportation states it will be getting some major repairs over the next couple of years.

"We’re going to spend about two and a half years giving that some tender, loving care," MnDOT spokesman Dave Aeikens said. "Putting on a new deck, doing work in the water, on the piers."

During this weekend’s closure, pedestrians will still be allowed to use the bridge. Once everything reopens by 5 a.m. Monday, there will be a dedicated lane for transit, and one lane in each direction for regular traffic.

[KSTP-TV]

Other options for crossing the river this weekend include using Hennepin/First Avenue or Interstate 35W. MnDOT says the bridge will close again in January 2021 and stay closed for the next two years.