Bicyclists to be first to ride on parkway past I-35W bridge

Last update: August 27, 2008 - 11:56 PM

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Minnesota bridges rated: An interactive map of bridges that are "structurally deficient," "functionally obsolete" or have gusset plates like those on the I-35W bridge.

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Officially, the new Interstate 35W bridge and nearby roads will open sometime between mid-September and mid-October. But thousands of bikes are scheduled to ride on West River Parkway -- right under the new bridge -- on Sept. 14.

Does that mean West River Road commuters can resume their pre-collapse routes? Not so fast.

Organizers of the Minneapolis Bike Tour negotiated with the bridge's builders "so that they can use that chunk of road," Kevin Gutknecht, a Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesman, said Wednesday. That part of parkway, which has been closed since last year's bridge collapse, "won't be open then," he said.

Security folks will make sure that no cars try to follow the bikers under the bridge, and spectators won't be allowed on the parkway.

The plan is to open the freeway bridge, the parkway and SE. 2nd St., under the north end of the bridge, at the same time, Gutknecht said.

"We're about 98 percent done" with the bridge, he said, but no opening date has been announced. "It just seems like the last 2 percent's the hardest."

Under its contract with the state, Flatiron Constructors has until Dec. 24 to finish the bridge before incurring any penalties. The firm is eligible to earn $200,000 a day for finishing early, up to 100 days -- and Sept. 15 marks the 100-day maximum.

In recent weeks, MnDOT and Flatiron staffers have met to discuss the details of the bridge opening. Any event will probably include a chance for the public to walk on the bridge before it is opened to vehicles, Gutknecht said.

More information about the bike tour is available at www.minneapolisbiketour.com.

JIM FOTI

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