Beginning next week, construction of the I-35W bridge will impact traffic in several ways, according to a message sent to University of Minnesota faculty and staff:

Over the next few weeks, work on the 35W bridge will cause some travel
inconveniences for University area travel, in particular to and from
the West Bank Office Building (WBOB). Here’s what to expect:

13th Avenue South Will Be Closed For Hauling Operations
Starting the week of April 21, crews will close 13th Avenue South for
up to 10 minutes at a time, several times a day, to haul pre-cast
concrete segments from the casting yard exit (at 13th Avenue South and
South Second Street) to the river’s edge on the south side of the
construction site (using the entrance at 13th Avenue South and West
River Parkway). Crews plan to transport up to six segments a day, at a
rate of approximately one segment every two hours. Hauling will take
place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. seven days a week until about June 1.
Flaggers will be present while hauling is in progress, and traffic
attendants will be posted at all driveways along the haul route.

MnDOT will also close one lane on 13th Avenue South next week to allow
crews to conduct water utility work under the street. The closure will
run from West River Parkway to South Second Street and should be
finished by or before April 21.

This will impact travel to/from the West Bank Office Building and the
WBOB parking ramp. We recommend that you allow additional travel time.
Street Closures at 14th Avenue South and 1st Street South
To allow utility relocation and widening of I-35W northbound, 14th
Avenue South and 1st Street South (near the Seven Corners Apartments)
are temporarily closed. Street parking on 2nd Street South and 14th
Avenue is restricted to allow two-way traffic along 2nd Street South
from 19th Avenue to the closure.

Sidewalk/Lane Closures at Washington and University
Starting on or about April 21, the sidewalk on the north side of
Washington Avenue may be closed between Seven Corners and 12th Avenue
South while crews redo the curb cuts at the corners. Occasional lane
closures may also be necessary during this phase of construction.
Similar work will take place on University Avenue between 8th and 10th
Avenues SE starting in mid-May.

10th Avenue Bike Lane Closed
The bike lane on the west side of the 10th Avenue Bridge will be
closed until further notice from 11 a.m. until noon on Saturdays—when
the weekly Sidewalk Talks are in progress—to ensure the safety of
everyone using the bridge. The City of Minneapolis has posted signs
noting the restriction at each end of the bridge. Bikes and
pedestrians are urged to use the lane on the east side of the bridge
between 11 a.m. and noon.

For more information on the I-35W project visit htpp://www.mndot.gov or
call the I-35W Bridge Hotline at (612) 236-6901.

last revised: April 17, 2008

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