Part of the historic Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis is closed to all pedestrian and bike traffic as repair work begins on aging and crumbling stone and masonwork.
The St. Anthony Main side of the 140-year-old bridge will be closed through spring of next year to keep the public and construction crews safe.
When that part of the $38 million project is completed, crews will begin work on the other half of the bridge.
"The closure, in this case, will be on the bridge, it's not going to be on any of the adjacent roads," said Jesse Johnson with MinDOT.
There will be a partial closure of the cul-de-sac on Sixth Avenue, located adjacent Father Hennepin Bluff Park.
The full construction is anticipated to be complete by spring 2026.
The Third Avenue bridge will be used as a detour route while work continues on the Stone Arch Bridge.
It was about thirty years ago when the bridge was converted from rail traffic to pedestrians and bicycles.
The Stone Arch Bridge first opened to railroad traffic in 1883, connecting rail lines to the new Minneapolis Union Depot.
The original cost to build the bridge was $650,000.
In 1971, the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic places.
The last passenger train rolled across the span in 1978, and it is now owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.