In preparation for development planned on the north of the Mall of America, crews in Bloomington this week were to begin a construction project to rebuild Lindau Lane.

The road, which runs between Cedar Avenue and 24th Avenue on the mall's north side, will be lowered and a bridge will be built across the road to connect with the mall's Phase II expansion.

Work will take place over the course of the next two years on sections of Lindau Lane between Cedar Avenue and 34th Avenue. Work will start on the west end of Lindau Lane and move east. Parts of 24th Avenue beteeen I-494 and Killebrew Drive/Old Shakopee Road will be reduced to two lanes for about a month.

Access to the Mall of America will remain open during construction.

Highlights of the $49 million project include:

Modifying the intersection of Cedar Avenue and entrance to IKEA and the Mall of America.

Reconfiguring parts of 30th Avenue.

Extending Lindau Lane to create a development spine linking the Mall of America and Bloomington Central Station on 28th Avenue.

Providing a pedestrian, biking and transit connection between Bloomington Central Station and the Mall of America.

On the mall's south side, a pedestrian bridge will be built over Killebrew Drive to replace crosswalks. The covered bridge will be partially temperature controlled and have elevator and stair access.

The city also will undertake other improvements in the area around the mall this year and next. The area is known as the city's South Loop District.

There is more information on Bloomington's web site, www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/