The new St. Anthony Parkway Bridge in northeast Minneapolis opened Friday, two years and more than $30 million after construction began.

The three-span bridge replaces a five-span bridge built in 1925. Its design nods to the original structure, while also boasting updated amenities for pedestrians and bicyclists.

"This new St. Anthony Parkway Bridge honors the history of this corner of our city while at the same time providing for an innovative design that is safe and accessible to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists," Mayor Betsy Hodges said in a statement, adding that the new bridge is "a structure that will serve us well into the future."

The city partnered with the state, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, BNSF Railway and surrounding neighborhoods on the $31.6 million project, according to a Minneapolis news release. Funds for the project came from the city, state, federal government and BNSF, the release said.

The bridge runs over the BNSF Northtown rail yard and is part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, which follows Minneapolis parkways in a loop around the city.

Emma Nelson • 612-673-4509