Consider this: Lyndale Avenue Bridge stands where a flour mill once did. The mill is now gone. The Lyndale Avenue Bridge carries traffic over Minnehaha Creek. It also carries stories of the past.
The Lyndale Avenue Bridge is more than concrete and steel. It connects us to Minneapolis history. Bridge 90444 was originally built in 1892. It was a single span masonry arch. It stood over Minnehaha Creek. This was the site of a former flour mill.
The Lyndale Avenue Bridge got a facelift in 1984. Then it was completely removed in 2012. A new bridge was built in its place. The new Lyndale Avenue Bridge is numbered 27B81. It sits in the same location as the old one.
This Lyndale Avenue Bridge has prestressed concrete beams. It features tall abutments. Precast concrete fascia panels mimic the old masonry arch. It reopened to traffic in October 2012.
The Lyndale Avenue Bridge spans 62 feet. Its roadway is 46 feet wide. Two 14-foot sidewalks offer space for pedestrians. Type mod P-1 railings and ornamental metal railings add detail. The Lyndale Avenue Bridge serves both vehicles and people.
O.N.E. played a key role in designing the Lyndale Avenue Bridge. They worked with HNTB. Designs included new abutments and a concrete deck. They also designed prestressed concrete beams and precast fascia panels.
The Lyndale Avenue Bridge isn’t just about function. It’s about aesthetics too. The precast fascia panels give a nod to the past. They resemble the original masonry arch.
In 2021, the southbound Lyndale Avenue S bridge underwent major repairs. These repairs included concrete work. Expansion joints were fixed. The deck was sealed. The light pole on top of the bridge was replaced. Southbound Lyndale Ave was closed for three weeks during the project.
Next time you cross the Lyndale Avenue Bridge, remember its story. It replaced a bridge built in 1892. The Lyndale Avenue Bridge stands on the site of an old mill dam. It connects Minneapolis to its industrial past. This Lyndale Avenue Bridge carries on.