West Broadway Avenue Bridges reconstruction

County Road 81 in North Minneapolis and Robbinsdale

Hennepin County, in coordination with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and cities of Minneapolis and Robbinsdale, is reconstructing the West Broadway Avenue Bridges (County Road 81) in North Minneapolis and Robbinsdale.

We will replace three bridges and improve the intersection below the bridges that connects Theodore Wirth and Victory Memorial parkways, as well as Oakdale and Lowry avenues (County Road 153).

Construction began in April 2021.

Project overview (PDF)

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Construction updates

Major reconstruction activities complete

Enjoy an improved and safer traveling experience

Major construction activities for the West Broadway Avenue Bridges (County Road 81) reconstruction project are now complete.

People driving now have access to all travel lanes on the bridges. In addition, all people traveling through the area can now use the intersection, under the bridges, that connects Theodore Wirth and Victory Memorial parkways, as well as Oakdale and Lowry (County Road 153) avenues.

View of the new West Broadway Avenue Bridges

View of the new West Broadway Avenue bridges.

View of the new Lowry Avenue on-ramp bridge and connecting trails.

The reopening wraps up two years of reconstruction. During this time, crews constructed bridges, roadways, intersections and trails that update the design and improve this important connection for Robbinsdale and North Minneapolis.

As people travel the area, they can enjoy a safer and better traveling experience.

People walking, rolling and biking will enjoy:

New trails and added paths that improve connections for Grand Rounds Trail users
Updated sidewalks and on-street bikeways that improve connections
Redesigned intersection with shortened crosswalk distances and median refuge areas that enhance safety
Updated pedestrian curb ramps that meet Americans with Disability Act standards that improves access for all

People driving and using transit will enjoy:

New bridges for West Broadway Avenue and Lowry Avenue users that provide a reliable connection
Redesigned intersection connecting between Theodore Wirth and Victory memorial parkways and Oakdale and Lowry avenues that improves traffic flow and safety for all users
Realigned ramp connections that improve sight distance and help with safer merging at West Broadway Avenue

Additional work planned next spring

We have some more work at the intersection next spring, like pouring concrete, placing permanent striping, landscaping and installing the new city monument signs. We expect these final items to take up to two months to complete. So, look for our crews next spring and plan for some possible impacts to your travel through the area when crews are back on site.

Thank you from the project team

We thank you for your patience while we worked to improve this area.

You will hear from us again when construction activities resume next spring. Until then, we wish you safe travels.

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

Community survey feedback

Prior to preliminary design, we asked residents, businesses and commuters to provide us feedback on how they travel through this area and what concerns they have about the current West Broadway Avenue bridges and the intersection below. The goal was to better inform the project team in identifying needs for possible improvements and ways to keep stakeholders informed as the project progresses.

Thank you for the feedback

We would like to thank community members for taking the survey and providing feedback. We received 387 completed surveys between March and May 2019. Results are summarized below.

West Broadway Avenue Bridges community survey results (PDF)

Community-focused improvements

Rendering - Oakdale (View of the intersection from Oakdale Avenue --- connecting Lowry and Oakdale avenues, as well as Theodore Wirth and Victory Memorial parkways.)

Rendering - Theodore Wirth (View of the intersection from Theordore Wirth Parkway --- connecting Lowry and Oakdale avenues, as well as Theodore Wirth and Victory Memorial parkways.)

Future outreach

Look for additional updates about this project in the months ahead.

If you have questions about the project, contact John Ekola, project manager, at john.ekola@hennepin.us or 612-596-0370.

Project leadership and partners

Hennepin County

Anthony Schrempp, P.E.
Project manager for construction
anthony.schrempp@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-596-0397

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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