Lowry Avenue Bridge update
By: Staff 10/01/2007
The Hennepin County Board approved an agreement with SRF Consulting Group Inc. for consultant services for a new bridge to replace the Lowry Avenue Bridge.
Services will include the preliminary design of the new bridge (County State Aid Highway 153) over the Mississippi River, the preliminary design of roadway improvements to the bridge approaches, examination of the condition of a nearby railroad bridge, and public-involvement and project-management activities.
Commissioners approved the Lowry Avenue Bridge replacement project as their No. 1 state bonding request – $24.2 million – in June. A funding request also will be submitted to the federal government. The project was awarded $2.5 million from the state in 2006 for design planning. The current bridge was built in 1905 and remodeled in 1958.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is conducting statewide inspections on all bridges listed as “fracture critical, which includes the Lowry Avenue Bridge. It was completely closed the week of September 17 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to accommodate inspection equipment. The Hennepin County Transportation Department also has been conducting its own inspections of the Lowry Avenue Bridge on a monthly basis since 2005. (Photo by Randy Klauk.)