NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 13, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Lance Robertson, Project Supervisor
218-262-0269
Highway 88 and new bridge to open this evening west of Ely
Construction is done for the season and the new bridge is expected to open around 7 p.m. this evening, October 13, on County State Aid Highway 88 (Grant McMahon Boulevard) west of Ely. A new 105-foot concrete slab span bridge now crosses the Burntside River, in place of a nearly 80-year-old bridge that had been subject to weight limitations.
The road reopening comes two weeks earlier than estimated. Engineers had condensed the construction schedule, and financial incentives were included in the project contract to minimize the inconvenience for motorists who typically travel this route.
The bridge and road will need to re-close for approximately three weeks next spring, from May 21 to June 9, 2018, for the final road paving, bridge painting, installation of the bridge concrete wearing course, pavement markings and road shouldering.
In addition to no longer having the weight limitations that the old bridge had, the new bridge features heightened distance between it and the water for increased navigational use of the river.
The total project cost is $1.26 million, with funding coming from State Aid dollars. Redstone Construction, LLC, is the project contractor.
To learn more about this or any other St. Louis County road construction project, or to sign up for email updates, visit stlouiscountymn.gov/construction.
 The new bridge and Highway 88 are opening for traffic October 13, two weeks ahead of schedule.
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