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North Shore Bridges replacement

County Road 51 in Orono

Hennepin County, in coordination with the City of Orono, is expected to replace two bridges carrying North Shore Drive over the Hendrickson and Noerenberg channels. These bridges are frequently referred to separately as the Hendrickson Bridge and Noerenberg Bridge.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022.

Project timeline showing design phase scheduled for 2021, and construction and project completion expected for 2022.

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Preparing for North Shore Bridges project in 2022

We plan to begin replacing the two bridges as early as spring 2022.

Replacing the bridges will reduce the need for frequent maintenance in the future and better meet present and future travel needs. The new bridges will have the same dimensions as the current bridges with an updated look, thereby preserving existing space and natural features along the channels.

The project will impact how people travel the area, as our current plan is to close and replace both bridges at the same time. This will allow our crews to complete all construction work and limit closures to just one construction season.

We encourage you to begin planning for this as you prepare for your daily travel, as well as any celebrations, special events and leisure activities.

Watch our video presentation to learn more

We posted a five-minute video of a presentation on the project website for you to view at your convenience.

The video covers: 

  • Anticipated construction schedule
  • Detour routes during construction
  • Local access to homes, businesses and destinations between the bridges
  • Best way for you to stay connected

We will also have some more information about a Metropolitan Council project planned prior to the bridges project. 

After you watch the video, use the comment form on the project website to ask any our staff any remaining questions you might have or request additional information you might need. 

North Shore Bridges comment form

Project coming in 2022

We anticipate replacement work to begin as early as spring 2022, and take up to five months to complete. We will provide updates as we get closer to construction.
Prior to the replacement work, Metropolitan Council will be replacing their nearby underground utility line. Their work will require partial and full closures on North Shore Drive.

New bridges will require less maintenance

The new bridges will have the same dimensions and look to help preserve existing space for adjacent properties and the natural features along the channels.
When complete, the new bridges will reduce the need for frequent maintenance activities in the future and meet today's and future travel needs.

Plan ahead for detour

We will close and replace both bridges at the same time. Closing both bridges will allow our crews to complete all construction work and limit closures to just one construction season.
During the closure, people using North Shore Drive will need to use the detour taking:

  • Shadywood Road (County Road 19)
  • Shoreline Drive (County Road 15)

Local access and impacts during construction

Access to North Shore Drive between the two bridges will remain open to local businesses, boat launches and residences. People will need to use North Shore Drive (County Road 19), Bayside Road (County Road 84) and Tonkawa Road (County Road 135) to access these locations.

The Hendrickson and Noerenberg channels connecting Crystal, North Arm and Maxwell bays will close for short durations during the construction. There will also be intermittent partial closures -- including on weekends. The channel width will be restricted, but people boating will still be able to travel through the area.

We will inform people of these closures with signage and traffic control boats to guide boaters through the channel. 

Local access and detour routes during the North Shore Bridge replacement project.

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