Nicollet Ave. Bridge over Minnehaha Creek

May 8, 2026

Nicollet Ave. Bridge over Minnehaha Creek: Project overview

The City of Minneapolis is rehabilitating the historic Nicollet Ave Bridge over Minnehaha Creek. The bridge was built in 1923 and repaired in 1973. Currently, the bridge is 63 feet wide and 816 feet long. The bridge is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Rehabilitating it will allow use for many years to come. The bridge currently has:

• Bike lanes on both sides; Sidewalks; Two lanes for vehicles

We'll replace and fix all structural elements of the bridge and roadway. The repaired bridge will be 60’-4” wide. The bridge will have:

• 6-ft. wide protected bike lanes; 8-ft. wide pedestrian sidewalks; Two 11-ft. traffic lanes

Construction activities to date

• Traffic control in-place - Continuous fine tuning
  • Parkway trail detoured for safety reasons
• Concrete bridge deck removal – Arch spans 4 - 9.
• Arch rib and pier repairs
• Concrete rubble removal - Ongoing
  
  • Rubble being sorted for reuse or recyclable material 
• Sawcutting & removal of beams & columns

Minnehaha Creek protections

Progress on Nicollet Ave Bridge reconstruction

Looking ahead

• Bridge deck removal – Arch span 3 over creek
• Arch rib & pier concrete surface repairs – Span 8, piers 7 & 8
• Floor beam & column removals – Spans 5 & 6
• Bike and pedestrian trail closure beneath the bridge – details in ‘Traffic impacts’ below

What to expect

• Large construction equipment
• Construction activities from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. M-F, and some Saturdays
• Disruption, noise & dust
• Neighborhood traffic impacts
• Business access – Nicollet Ave. south of bridge open to all businesses at all times

Traffic impacts

Minnehaha Parkway is closed effective February 23, 2026. Minnehaha parkway bike and pedestrian trails will close for four weeks beginning on April 24, 2026.

The Nicollet Ave bridge closed to all traffic on March 2, 2026 and will remain closed through late 2027.

Traffic calming measures may be implemented in the project work area. When they are installed, we will share this specific information

Nicollet Ave Bridge, vehicle detours map

Nicollet Ave Pedestrian & bicycle detour map - Begins April 24, 2026

Minnehaha Pkwy Trail Pedestrian & bicycle detour map - Begins April 24, 2026

Bi-weekly stakeholder meeting

Join us at the Nicollet Ave Bridge over Minnehaha Creek bi-weekly stakeholder meeting. The meetings will provide an overview of the project, construction details, and upcoming project work information. The next bi-weekly stakeholder meeting be on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

• Every other Thursday
• 2 – 3 p.m

This is a virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams. To participate in the meeting, please click on the link provided below.

Join the Nicollet Ave Bridge over Minnehaha Creek bi-weekly stakeholder meeting 

Please note: Accessing a Teams meeting via your mobile device may require downloading the Microsoft Teams app to your mobile device.

• Call in, audio only participation: 612-276-6670   
• Phone Conference ID: 607 364 505# 

Stay connected

Visit the project website and sign-up for updates: Nicollet Ave. Bridge Over Minnehaha Creek - City of Minneapolis (minneapolismn.gov)

Email Meseret Wolana, Project Engineer : Meseret.Wolana@minneapolismn.gov

Email Ahmed Omar, Construction Engineer : Ahmed.Omar@minneapolismn.gov

Contact the Project Team with project questions or comments: NicolletBridgeOverMinnehaha@minneapolismn.gov

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact 311.People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.