Join us for a reopening celebration
Let’s celebrate the reopening of the Third Ave. Bridge this October. More details coming soon.
Traffic impacts
Hwy 65/Third Ave. Bridge project location map.
All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.
Schedule update
After assessing the overall schedule and work to be completed, we were unable to reopen the bridge in fall 2022 without creating safety issues for the public and construction crews. The bridge is now anticipated to reopen to traffic in late October 2023.
Current
Road closures
Through late October 2023
- Central Ave. between SE 2nd St. and University Ave. is closed for safety precautions
Bridge closures
Mon, Jan. 4, 2021 through late October 2023
- The Third Ave. Bridge is fully closed
- Vehicle and transit detour: Hennepin Ave. and First Ave. (PNG)
- Pedestrian detour: Hennepin Ave. Bridge (PNG)
- Bicycle detour: Stone Arch Bridge (PNG)
Construction noise
Crews will work to minimize project noise; however, residents and business owners near the bridge may experience noise, including overnight, during the work.
Upcoming
Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be posted as details become available.
About this project
The 102-year-old Hwy 65/Third Ave. Bridge over the Mississippi River is deteriorating and requires repairs to continue to safely transport people and goods into and out of downtown Minneapolis. Crews will fully close the bridge to complete the project work. Once completed, users will enjoy a smoother road surface, improved safety and accessibility features, and enhanced historic and visual features.
Click image for larger version
Watch this behind-the-scenes tour with Project Engineer, Tim Nelson, for a closer look at the development of the Third Avenue Bridge upgrades.
Summary of work
The following construction and preservation activities will extend the bridge's service life for another 50 years:
- Repair bridge and replace bridge deck
- Update lighting
- Repair the historic ornamental railing
- Maintain and enhance the bridge's historic and visual appeal
- Repair the City of Minneapolis’s water main on the bridge
- Improve bicycling and walking paths
- Make it safer for bicyclists by separating them from vehicle traffic
Rendering of the future Third Ave. Bridge after repairs are completed. The final bridge color will be chosen later in the project after testing color samples on site.
Click image for larger version
Why fully close the bridge?
The design and condition of the Third Ave. Bridge do not allow it to be reconstructed while keeping part of the bridge open to traffic. Other reasons for fully closing the bridge are:
- More work space for the contractors
- Safer working conditions for crews and travel conditions for the public
- Availability of alternative routes for pedestrians, bicyclists, vehicles and buses
- Fewer impacts to the surrounding natural environment
Enhancements
Take a look at what the bridge is anticipated to look like once construction is complete.
Rendering of the future Third Ave. Bridge showing how vehicles and people walking and bicycling will travel after the bridge repairs are completed. The multi-use path will be delineated to separate people walking and people bicycling.
Click image for larger version
Six word stories
Thank you to everyone who submitted their Six Word Story ideas!
Walk or bike to participating businesses
To view the best of the best Six Word Stories submitted by residents of the neighborhoods surrounding Third Ave. Bridge. Each storefront is unique, so visit them all and be sure to check out the host businesses while you’re there! Post photos of your journey with #sixwordbridgestories. The stories are located at the following locations:
- Bottle House Wine & Spirits*
- Shake Shoppe
- Downtown Tobacco & Vape*
- Downtown Market & Deli
- Art of Barbering
- Surdyk’s Liquor & Cheese Shop*
- Sidebar at Surdyk’s
- Northeast Tea House
- Flutter Bridal Co
- West Photo
- Lunds & Byerlys
- GH2
- Wilde Cafe & Spirits*
- Nicollet Island Inn
*Please note age restrictions for shopping at these businesses.
Six Word Story submission winners
Story |
Name |
|---|---|
| Relaxing place to walk and reflect | Doug V. |
Amazing, picturesque downtown Mississippi River crossing |
Virtual meeting attendee |
| Across the bridge lives my love | Erika S. |
| Stroll from the past into now | Carol S. |
| The familiar path to opportunity awaits | Ann A. |
| Curvy connector of our amazing city | Ellen J. |
| A bridge to two historic neighborhoods | Dare L. |
| We met there; fell in love. | Hans M. |
| Morning coffee walk, evening sunset stroll. | Deena G. |
| Watching Aquatennial fireworks fill the sky | Adam B. |
| Curving arches mirrored in liquid light | Daniel G. |
| Neighbors separated by water; bridges connect! | Barb J. |
| Walking. Our River. Our city. Minneapolis. | Jill W. |
| Visions of Minneapolis beyond the Mississippi | Jared A. |
| Restoring historic foundation for neighborhood future | Rodney P. |
| Sinuous curves/Graceful arches/Spectacular views | Steve B. |