Demolition Crews Get To Work On Old Hastings Bridge

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Demolition began on the Hastings Bridge this Wednesday, as motorists in the Twin Cities bid farewell to "Big Blue."

Crews started tearing down the landmark bridge at 7 a.m.

The demolition crews will begin by removing the decking on the downtown side.

Once that is complete, crews will begin working on an approach so the new bridge is fully operational; currently only two of the four lanes are open.

Crews said that their work should take about a week.

Demolition will then cease until the new bridge work is finished. Then the remaining structure will be removed.

Crews expect that work to start in August and take roughly three months.

The old bridge for Highway 61, which crosses the Mississippi River, was originally built in 1951.

The new red bridge that crosses the river is now open in both directions.

In:
• Hastings News
• Mississippi River
• Highway 61