Bikes, pedestrians again crossing Sabo bridge in Minneapolis

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: August 24, 2012 - 8:59 PM

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The full report on the Sabo bridge problem concluded that the design of the bridge is structurally adequate but recommended that the existing diaphragm plates be "retrofitted to enhance fatigue resistance."

Photo: Bruce Bisping, Star Tribune

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Bicycles and pedestrians are again crossing the Martin Olav Sabo Bridge in Minneapolis, which was closed for several days this week for further repairs stemming from cables breaking loose six months ago on the span over Hiawatha Avenue.

Work crews began the initial phase of repairs to the bridge early this week. That work done, the span just north of E. Lake Street reopened at 1 a.m. Friday, ahead of the next phase of repairs.

A pair of support cables -- the bridge's longest and tallest -- broke loose on the span in February, forcing its closure until June 1.

During this week's short-lived closure, crews installed a diaphragm plate that connects cables to the mast.

Workers will monitor that repair over the next few weeks to gauge its performance, officials said, and then schedule repairs to the remaining plates.

An engineering firm concluded in June that wind-induced cable vibrations caused fatigue cracking in the diaphragm plates, resulting in two cable connections fracturing. The newly installed retrofitted plate is designed to withstand the fatigue that led to the cracking.

PAUL WALSH