News Release

Mankato, Minn. - The public is encouraged to attend an open house on the replacement of the State Highway 25 Minnesota River Bridge near Belle Plaine. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will host the open house on Tuesday, October 5 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Belle Plaine Community Library at 125 West Main Street.

The existing steel truss bridge is scheduled to be replaced in 2005 and 2006 with a three span steel bridge, according to Mn/DOT Project Supervisor Mary Dieken.

The project includes raising the grade seven feet and building a bridge 130 feet longer than the existing bridge. The new bridge will have two 12-foot travel lanes, 10-foot shoulders and a 10-foot trail on the east side of the bridge. Entrances to the Minnesota Valley Trail and boat landing will also be reconstructed.

Traffic will be detoured to State Highways 25, 19 and 5 for the duration of the construction.

Mn/DOT staff will be available anytime during the open house so the public can attend at their convenience.

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