Hiawatha Ave. (Hwy 55) A Brief History

Highway 55/Hiawatha Avenue - A brief history

Reconstruction of Highway 55/ Hiawatha Avenue from Crosstown Highway 62 to Interstate 94 began in 1988 between Nawadaha Blvd. and East 31st Street in Minneapolis. Work continued in the area between East 24th Street and I-94 from 1992 through 1997. Construction of the Hiawatha Ave. bridge over East Lake Street started in 1996 and the bridge was completed in the fall of 1997. Work on the approach roadways was completed and the bridge opened to traffic on July 27, 1999. Construction continues on the ramps between the new bridge and Lake Street.

Hiawatha Ave. reconstruction continues between East 32nd St. and East 24th Street with completion scheduled for fall 2000. Construction of a temporary roadway between East 46th Street and Minnehaha Creek began July 26th, 1999. Traffic will use this temporary roadway during construction of Hiawatha Ave. near East 46th Street. (See article on start of construction for tunnel, bridges).

The final stage of Hiawatha Avenue reconstruction consists of realigning the roadway between East 54th Street and Crosstown Highway 62, along with rebuilding the interchange of Hiawatha Ave. and Highway 62. Bids were let on September 24th. Completion of the entire Hiawatha Ave. project is slated for summer of 2001.

2000-2012 Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
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