Washington Avenue Bridge Closed
August 26th, 2008 by Sveden
You may have noticed the Washington Ave Bridge is closed, sorta. I received this explanation in my inbox on 08/22/2008.
As I type, they are installing fence posts outside the enclosure. I’d assume chain link fence to go between them providing a east and west bike lane on either side of the enclosure. As you can see in the picture. More in my photostream.
Talked with three older gents working for the Hennepin County engineering crew. I asked if this would be done by the time classes start at the U (roughly September 2nd). They said “For sure”
I thanked them for working so quickly on this issue and that we cyclists appreciate it very much. If you see the workers on the bridge as you are cycling by give them a shout of thanks.
Update 08/29/2008.
Tags: bike, commuter, info, photo, uofMNFiled under Blog
August 27th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Having never set foot nor tire on this bridge, what’s the point of dividing what looks like a huge sidewalk with plenty of room for bikes and peds?
August 27th, 2008 at 11:13 am
hmm, just read the explanation you linked to - sounds like they’re completely closing the outer upper decks for safety and routing all traffic into the enclosed middle section:
“all pedestrians and bicyclists will be limited to a portion of the middle section of the inside of the upper deck.”
Still doesn’t make sense - guess I’ll have to ride it myself.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I still cannot figure out why the inside section of the bridge is OK but the outside is not.
The stated “Safety concerns” doesn’t make sense either. Are they just now thinking peds are not safe with this railing setup?
Or are they afraid that people mess with it during the RNC convention?
You’re guess is as good as mine.