Race Council Member Betsy Hodges Across the Bridge

• 1st Place – David Saly
• 2nd Place – Susan Saly

Pumpkin Weight Contest – Guesses ranged from 17.5 lbs to 1000 lbs.

• Winner! – Carolyn Halliday with a perfect guess of 43.5 lbs. – $25 Gift Certificate to George & The Dragon

Borton Bridge Barometer – To Be Announced Tuesday October 23

Final wear course has been placed on both the bridge and the road south of the bridge and workers are finalizing last details on the bridge before the reopening on Monday October 15th at 1pm.

The last piece of work to be done in the street will be to stripe the lanes which will begin for the road on October 15 and should take about 2 days. There may be some lane shifting during this time but the road will remain open for the duration of the work. Striping on the bridge will occur late next week. The reason for the gap between the final wear course and the lane markings is due to a warranty with the material which calls for 10-14 days between the two items.

NOTE: The bridge is still closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic until the official opening at 1pm on October 15.

Oct. 9, 2012

Contact:           Gail Dorfman, Hennepin County Commissioner: 612-348-7883

Don Shaffer, Project Engineer: 612-282-5538

Cara Lee, Public Affairs: 612-348-6883

Reconstruction of Lyndale Avenue complete with opening of bridge Oct. 15

Hennepin County is pleased to announce the Lyndale Avenue Bridge will reopen to the public on Monday, Oct. 15. This marks the completion of the final phase in the multi-year reconstruction of Lyndale Avenue.

Residents and local business owners are invited to attend a short ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. outside the main entrance of Hennepin County Library – Washburn, 5244 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis.

“In 1997, residents from the 10 neighborhoods along this corridor developed a vision for a 21st century Lyndale Avenue that connected the neighborhoods, was safe for pedestrians and vehicles, and restored the grandeur of the avenue. Completion of this project is the realization of their vision,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman. “Lyndale Avenue is now not just a transportation corridor, but a destination.”

The reconstruction of Lyndale Avenue began in 2008, and was a partnership among the county, City of Minneapolis, the Nicollet-East Harriet Business Association, area businesses and residents. Improvements include:

• Reducing the roadway from a total of four lanes to one in each direction, plus turn lanes.
• Adding center medians with trees and ornamental grasses.
• Widening the sidewalks from 14 feet to 17 feet and striping the crosswalks.
• Placing pedestrian-level lighting along the corridor.

Minimal work by the contractor will continue through early November, but the road and bridge will remain open at all times. This last portion of the project replaced the bridge over Minnehaha Creek and reconstructed the roadway from the creek to West 56th Street. Lyndale was reconstructed from 38th Street to 50th Street in 2008, and from 38th Street to 31st Street in 2009.

Please continue supporting your local businesses now that the road and bridge are open. “Experience 54^th & Lyndale,” a celebration hosted by area businesses, will be held from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Activities include contests, food, a treasure hunt, kids activities, a historic walking tour and more. For more information, including the chance to enter the bridge vehicle counting contest, visit Experience Southwest’s website lyndaleconstruction.com.

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website – www.hennepin.us.

A little set back on the schedule of the traffic signals and lighting on Lyndale late Friday. Due to a delay with the supplier, traffic signals and lighting will not be delivered until Oct. 5 with full installation being completed around Oct. 19. This will likely not delay any other work. More updates to follow as they become available.