Non-motorist bridge over Mighty Miss would connect North with Northeast
The dotted arrow shows the preferred route for pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi River that would connect North and Northeast Minneapolis. Minneapolis Park and Recreation map
By David Pierini, Editor
At the end of 26th Avenue North is a scenic overlook. Visitors can gaze at the Mighty Mississippi River and glimpse Northeast Minneapolis hugging the opposite bank.
That concludes the experience.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board planners hope to enhance your river visit in a few years with a foot and bicycle bridge that connects the Northside to a new park in Northeast Minneapolis. The bridge plan on the North Minneapolis bank includes completing a trail connecting to Ole Olson Park.
Project planners hosted community engagement events in early February, one for each side of the river, to get ideas from residents. There were a variety of opinions, but attendees said they were excited about a non-motorist bridge connecting North and Northeast.
“I’m a community person,” said Northsider Georgianna Yantos. “I want the communities of North and Northeast to be connected. This is not a river that separates us. This is a river that brings us together.”
A design concept based on the feedback will likely be presented to the board sometime this spring. The roughly 640-foot bridge will cost an estimated $30 million. The Northeast end of the bridge is currently a 1.9-acre vacant property at 1720 Marshall St. NE. The park board plans to spend another few million dollars in developing the Marshall Street property it into a park.
The bridge would complete the Great Northern Greenway, which runs through North and Northeast and is split by the river. Cyclists currently take a 1.8-mile detour to cross at Broadway Avenue.
The overlook at 26th Avenue in North Minneapolis may soon have a view of a non-motorist bridge constructed near by. Photo by David Pierini
For nearly 20 years, park planners initially hoped to modify an unused train bridge south of the 26th Avenue Overlook. But the railroad, Burlington Northern For nearly 20 years, park planners initially hoped to modify an unused train bridge south of the 26th Avenue Overlook. But the railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, indicated it had no intention of relinquishing the bridge
“It's really about reconnecting people,” said design project planner Tyler Pederson. “We’ve got a number of really great connections across the river in central and the downtown area. As we get up towards Plymouth, Broadway and Lowry avenues are dominated by vehicle corridors.
"We want to change that experience and create a centrally located human crossing not dedicated to trains, trucks or cars.”
The board will decide later this year if a new bridge is feasible. MPRB and board commissioners will also have to determine how to raise the money.