In early January, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) released a feasibility study for a proposed pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi River. On Jan. 29, they discussed it at an open house at Broken Clock Brewing, 1712 Marshall St. NE.
The 65-page document examines the factors involved in constructing a bridge between North and Northeast Minneapolis that would link the Great Northern Green-
way, a nonvehicular recreational trail stretching from Theodore Wirth Parkway to the river, with the Minneapolis Diagonal Trail at 18th Avenue NE.
The idea of a bridge for pedestrians that connects communities on both sides of the river has been studied for more than 25 years. Most of the proposals have assumed using the existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BMSF) bridge, which still carries daily commercial rail traffic.
The new study says a separate upstream bridge would address concerns about safety, aesthetics and liability, while enhancing recreational experiences. The report points out the difficulties of adapting the railway bridge to greater pedestrian use without extensive modifications. BNSF says it must remain a bridge for rail traffic only.
The study cites the history of the riverfront, where the MPRB has purchased and protected pieces of land since its establishment in 1883. In the 19th and 20th centuries, industry grew quickly along the banks of the Mississippi River upstream of and along St. Anthony Falls. A great deal of that industry has moved away. South of the falls, nearly all of the riverfront is accessible parkland. Above the falls, the creation of Interstate 94 removed many homes on the river’s west side, cutting off whole neighborhoods from river access. Northeast suffered fewer obstructions, but still lacks the benefit of “a contiguous waterfront.”
A new bridge connection would offer “significant value” to runners and hikers, dog walkers, cyclists (recreationally or in events), paddlers putting in or out, people fishing, communities watching fireworks and people looking for drive-free routes.
While the recreational aspect is important, the study suggests that a connection would offer access to other destinations such as restaurants, shopping, grocery and other retail, adding, “Generally, destinations in North Minneapolis are further from the river, and separated by I-94 and industrial uses, where destinations in Northeast are nearer the river with few barriers to access.”
The study looked at several bridge structure types for the 680-foot span, considering the 21-foot vertical clearance above the water, the deck width, the minimum horizontal span (150 feet) and how much load the bridge would have to carry. Other considerations included maintenance, weight of emergency vehicles and the possibility of a boat impact.
At least a dozen agencies besides the MPRB would have some level of jurisdiction over the project, including the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minneapolis’ Public Works Bridge Department, the state DNR, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State Historic Preservation Office, among others.
Project Manager Tyler Pederson said MPRB will seek funding from multiple sources beyond a bonding request that includes but isn’t limited to regional park funding through the Met Council, park and transportation-related grants, partnerships with other agencies and partnership with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. Identifying and securing funding will move ahead as the design progresses.
Some minor modifications will be needed to bring a trail up to the bridge’s western abutment. On the east side, the 1720 Marshall St. building, scheduled for demolition, sits on 1.9 acres, which has a lot of potential for park redevelopment. That park plan is not designed yet, but it could include amenities such as a river access point or launch, picnic facilities, gathering spaces, a park building with restrooms and space for programming.
The project has a 42-month timeline. Pederson said State Representative Fue Lee (District 59A) is “excited for the project” but at this point he has not heard from other legislators.
Mississippi Water Management Organization’s Executive Director Kevin Reich said he would like to “identify resources that we could put toward the project to see if we could maximize the positive benefit to the river itself. In addition to any connections it creates, any infrastructure has to be designed to mitigate impacts … and go beyond mitigation to see what designs can actually enhance the riverfront based on the built environment and the restoration of the shoreline.”
The Great Northern Greenway (GNG) Coalition is a volunteer group that has advocated for the bridge, completing the remaining trail gaps, improving wayfinding and other enhancements along the route. GNG member Dan Miller said, “We enthusiastically support the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board’s river crossing study and conceptual design as the next step toward realizing over 20 years of planning and advocacy to connect North and Northeast Minneapolis to the river and each other.”
MPRB held an open house at the Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative on Jan. 29 and at Farview Park on Jan. 30, with site visits to either side of the river at the proposed crossing on Saturday, Feb. 3.
A link to the full feasibility study is available on the MPRB website, www.minneapolisparks.org.
MPRB Project Manager Tyler Pederson (right) discussed the proposed bridge plan with attendees at an open house presentation at Farview Park on Jan. 30. (Mark Peterson)
The preferred crossing for the proposed North-Northeast pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi River. (MPRB)
Graphic shows how the bridge would connect various trails on both sides of the river. (MPRB)