Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge

Mississippi River Crossing in downtown Minneapolis

Visualization

View the collection of proposed design elements presented to a design committee prior to finalizing the design.

Community Process

Residents, business and community members, representatives from the parks, preservation and arts communities, as well as various elected and appointed officials from local, state and federal governments voted at a bridge design meeting on various aspects of the bridge design including pier shape, lighting and color.

Pier Shape

Visulation of the bridge's pier shape

The pier shape is made up of reflective curves with the dominant curve shaping along the length of the bridge, tapering from 30' to 11' to 30' (11' depth at the center of the main span over the river). This pier shape creates a continuous curve tied directly into the superstructure, while framing the river. The proportions reflect strength and elegance in their unique design. Two main piers feature observation platforms along the river's edge. The superstructure concrete box girder is a closed shape with inclined walls and smooth surfaces of continuous flat planes. The appearance from below is a sweeping form with the concrete material creating a visually clean and quiet space below the bridge. 

 

 

Aerial view looking east

Global View 

This functional sculptural bridge is a series of modern arch forms softly set into the context of the site to maximize openness, light and green space, while focusing on the river. The river span sweeps 504' in a parabolic curve of graceful proportions. The pier shape of Concept A creates curved forms that move into the bridge superstructure.

 

 

Elevation

Bridge elevation diagram

 

Cross section

Bridge deck cross section

Wall Locations

Aerial render of wall locations

Native stone wall rendering & Retaining Walls

Native stone wall rendering

Example of Native Stone Wall near I-35E

Stone wall example

 

Railing Locations

Bridge deck cross section showing railing locations

Bridge Railing Materials

Diagram ofbridge railing materials

Driver's perspective

Rendering showing drivers perspective

Open rail

Rendering of open railing on bridge

Open rail view #2

Alternate view of open rail

Color

Bridge color as seen from the Guthrie Theater

Rendering of bridge, view from Guthrie Theater

Bridge color as seen from St. Anthony Falls

Rendering of bridge, view from St. Anthony Falls

Lighting

Roadway Safety Lighting

Safety lighting rendering

Aesthetic Lighting

Aesthetic lighting examples