City and MnDOT celebrate Maryland Ave
Bridge placement, highlight what’s next
I-35E Cayuga Project construction and work at Trillium Park expected next spring
SAINT PAUL, Oct. 5, 2012 — The City of Saint Paul and MnDOT are building bridges
together. An improved connection that allows motorists and pedestrians to cross
over Interstate 35E on Maryland Ave. is the first of many stages of the I-35E/Cayuga
project—a series of improvements that will make I-35E more accessible.
"I am thrilled
to see that the long-anticipated upgrades of I-35E are beginning to come to
life,” said Councilmember Amy Brendmoen, “The beautiful, new Maryland Avenue Bridge is the first of many transportation infrastructure improvements that
will be transformative for the East Side and North End."
Designers of the I-35E/Cayuga
project are thinking ahead of their time, both in terms of planning the stages
and projects, as well as implementation of the work itself.
"We used an innovative approach to replacing the
Maryland Avenue Bridge.
The bridge was built adjacent to the freeway and ‘wheeled’ into position on a
self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT),” said MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel.
“Innovative construction methods like this support our vision of creating a
safe, efficient and sustainable transportation system."
Use of the modular transporter reduced the total
time Maryland Avenue
was closed by more than half, which helped reduce impacts to area residents and
travelers. Following the completion of the Maryland Avenue Bridge, MnDOT will
commence full construction on the I-35E/Cayuga Project in spring 2013, with it
expected to last through 2015.
Future projects in the immediate area also
include construction and site remediation of the 40-acre Trillium Nature
Sanctuary, which is part of the larger Trout Brook Regional Trail corridor. The
nature sanctuary will once again become a water course for the Trout Brook, a
natural habitat corridor for birds and animals, and will facilitate movement of
pedestrians and bicyclists along the Trout Brook Regional Trail. Work on Trillium Park is expected to begin spring 2013.
Project site renderings are available upon
request.
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For additional information, contact:
Media Relations / Public Service Manager
Brad Meyer at 651-266-6377 (office) or 651-894-3258 (cell)
About Saint Paul Parks & Recreation
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited and gold medal award-winning organization that manages more than 170 parks and open spaces, an AZA accredited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 25 city operated recreation centers, 4 municipal golf courses, more than 100 miles of trails, an indoor and outdoor aquatic facility, a public beach, a variety of premium sports facilities, and Great River Passage - which is the new identity for all public development along Saint Paul's more than 17 miles of Mississippi riverfront. For more information about Saint Paul Parks and Recreation visit www.stpaul.gov/parks. | 
