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651-366-4266
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395 John Ireland Blvd.
Mail Stop 150
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
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Mn/DOT reaches settlement with HNTB on Wakota Bridge design issues
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation today announced the state will receive $20 million in a settlement with HNTB Corp., the Kansas City-based designer of the Wakota Bridge project that carries Interstate 494 over the Mississippi River between South St. Paul and Newport.
The settlement, reached with the assistance of neutral third-party mediators, relates to the additional costs incurred by Mn/DOT on the project.
“The settlement with HNTB is a fair and reasonable resolution to this matter,” said Khani Sahebjam, Mn/DOT deputy commissioner and chief engineer. “It allows us to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation so we can continue working on other transportation matters of importance to Minnesota.”
In 2004, small cracks were found during construction of the westbound span. When Mn/DOT identified a design issue, the westbound span was retro-fitted and the eastbound span was redesigned. The westbound span opened to traffic in 2006 carrying traffic in both directions. When the eastbound span is completed in 2010, the entire bridge will provide five lanes in each direction.
For more information about the Wakota Bridge, visit the project Web site at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/wakota/.
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