News
Lowry Avenue Bridge removal implosion on June 21
June 10, 2009
Hennepin County issued a press release on June 10, 2009, containing the following
information:
The Lowry Avenue Bridge, a Minneapolis landmark since 1905, will be removed by
implosion at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 21. The current structure, which has been
closed since April 2008, must be removed before construction can begin on the
replacement bridge this fall.
Due to lack of structural integrity, imploding the current structure is the
safest option available to workers, and results in minimal disruption to the
environment and river navigation. The implosion will sever what remains of the
steel trusses, dropping them into the river; residents should expect to hear a
loud, deep, boom-like sound.
Preliminary dismantling already has taken place. The county plans to salvage,
recycle or reuse more than 90 tons of steel and other related items. Implosion
contractor Advanced Explosives Demolition Inc. has designated a 1,000 ft.
horizontal (land) and 1,000 ft. vertical (air) safety zone because of expected
air pressure vibrations. This area will need to be vacated the morning of the
implosion.
The Lowry Avenue N. road closure will expand to include from N. 2nd Street to
Grand Street NE, and Marshall Street NE will close from 23rd Avenue NE to 26th
Avenue NE with a signed detour, the morning of June 21. The industrial zoning of
the neighborhood and heavy tree line along the Mississippi River shore means
there is limited-to-zero visibility for the public of the implosion site.
Bridge removal contractor Carl Bolander & Sons Co. of St. Paul will clear the
main navigation channel within 24 hours following the implosion. All of the
steel is scheduled for removal from the river bed within one week. If mechanical
removal of the piers fails, a second implosion may be needed in mid-July.
A 32-inch diameter, 175-foot-long test piling will be installed at the end of
June, after the river bed is cleared. The piling will jut approximately 10 feet
out of the water, and be marked according to United States Coast Guard
standards. This pile will be tested the end of July in order to confirm
foundational requirements for new bridge designer T.Y. Lin International.
The county is coordinating with the following agencies throughout the demolition
process: the Department of Natural Resources, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s
Office, the Minneapolis Fire Department, the Minneapolis Police Department, the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers.
Hennepin County engineers, in consultation with Wiss, Janney, Elstner
Associates, determined it was necessary to close the bridge last April due to
continued structural issues with one of the bridge piers. In 2004, bridge
engineers discovered Pier 3 had rotated 11 inches out of vertical alignment.
Further rotation of the pier introduced an unacceptable risk to the traveling
public.
The Lowry Avenue Bridge carries Hennepin County State Aid Highway 153 over the
Mississippi River between north and northeast Minneapolis. The bridge, built in
1905, was substantially renovated in 1958.
The County Board approved the Lowry Avenue Bridge replacement project as its No.
1 state bonding request in summer 2006. Funding sources for the project include
Hennepin County bonds; state bridge bonds; a $475,000 federal appropriation
granted in March; and $10 million in federal stimulus funding.
Fact Sheet (PDF) 
Press release (PDF)
County issues Negative Declaration on the Need for an Environmental Impact Statement
March 9, 2009
Comments on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet were accepted through January
28, 2009. Following review of the comments, Hennepin County issued a Negative Declaration
on the Need for an Environmental Impact Statement on March 9, 2009. The Negative
Declaration and supporting Findings of Fact and Conclusions document, including
responses to comments received on the EAW, are posted on this site in the Reports
section.
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) Comment Period Through January 28, 2009
January 6, 2009
The state Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) was completed and made available for comment. The document is posted on this site in the
Reports page. The 30 day review period extended through January 28, 2009.
Lowry Avenue Bridge Closed - April 25, 2008
Supplementary Information
Project News
January 28, 2008
Updated Bridge Designs
Press Releases
June 10, 2009 Press Release
Lowry Avenue Bridge removal implosion on June 21 PDF
March 25, 2009 Press Release
Lowry Avenue Bridge removal begins; Open House April 7
PDF
April 25, 2008 Press Release
Lowry Avenue Bridge Closed
PDF
February 26, 2008 Press Release
Lowry Avenue Bridge closed for inspection Feb. 28
PDF
September 27, 2007 Press Release
October 16, 2007 Open House
PDF
More about our Open Houses
September 10, 2007 Press Release
Bridge Inspection
PDF
August 6, 2007 Press Release
August 21, 2007 Open House
PDF