Traffic impacts

Lane closures

• The crossover from the existing Lafayette Bridge to the new northbound bridge was completed on April 27.
• No vehicles or vehicle combinations of more than 35 feet in length, including charter buses and school buses, are allowed to use the Lafayette Bridge north of Plato Boulevard (PDF, 310 KB) until the crossover is removed and no longer needed (early 2014).
  • Detour route for the bypass (PDF, 263 KB)
  • Diagram of the bypass (PDF, 345 KB)
  • Detour signage (PDF, 486 KB)
• Two lanes of traffic will remain open in both directions for vehicles. Emergency vehicles will be permitted to use the bridge.
• Crossover route detours for prohibited vehicles:
  • Northbound Hwy 52: Follow eastbound I-494 to northbound Hwy 61 to westbound I-94 to Mounds Boulevard to 7th Street. 
  • Southbound Hwy 52: Follow 7th Street to Mounds Boulevard to eastbound I-94 to southbound Hwy 61 to westbound I-494.
• The ramp from eastbound I-94 to southbound Hwy 52 is closed and will reopen by August, 2015.

Permanently closed:

• Eastbound East 7th Street ramp to westbound I-94 is permanently closed.
• 5th Street: Closed east of Johns Street and no longer exists as a street.
• 4th Street: Closed to vehicles. Bicyclists have access to Bruce Vento trail by way of 4th Street.
• Kittson Street north of 7th street no longer exists. It will be the new NB Hwy 52 to 7th Street Exit.
• Kittson Street south of the Downtowner
  and Holiday Station no longer exists.

About this project

When completed, the two new bridges (northbound and southbound) each will provide two through-lanes and an auxiliary lane in each direction for entering and exiting traffic. The project also includes the modification and realignment of the Hwy 52 bridges over I-94 and re-decking of the Hwy 52 bridges south of the Mississippi River spanning Plato Boulevard and Eaton Street along with repairs and resurfacing the bridges crossing Concord Street. A pedestrian and bicycle crossing over the river on the northbound bridge is included in the plans. The project limits stretch along Hwy 52 from East Seventh Street to just south of Plato Boulevard.

• The new northbound Hwy 52 Lafayette Bridge will be constructed 2011-2013.
• Traffic will be switched to the new bridge late in 2013 and the new bridge will continue to maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction.
• The existing Lafayette Bridge will be demolished, and the new southbound Hwy 52 Bridge will be constructed in 2014-2015.
• Motorists will experience ramp closures during construction but Hwy 52 will remain open for the full construction period

What we've been doing          

• The north and south abutments and all thirteen new piers for the new northbound bridge are completed.
• Retaining wall construction continues on the north side of the river. The retaining walls on the south side of the river are finished. Painting of these walls will begin later this year.
• Northbound Hwy 52 is paved between Plato Boulevard to within 400 feet of the abutment for the new northbound bridge. The new bypass from these new lanes to the existing bridge is finished and open to traffic.
• Work on the Concord Street, Eaton Street and Plato Boulevard bridges is complete. Work on Hwy 52 south of Plato Boulevard is complete and re-opened to two lanes. 
• New ramps for the 7th Street Exit, westbound I-94 and eastbound I-94 are now open.
• Storm water sewer work is finished on both sides of the river, except for Loop A (northbound Hwy 52 to westbound I-94) and building the south and north retention ponds.
• The north end of the new exit from Hwy 52 to 7th Street is paved is open. This exit provides access to parking lots for Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the state Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Department of Human Services buildings.