Sabo Bridge To Close Next Week For Repairs

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Repair work is slated to begin next week on the Sabo bike and pedestrian bridge, bringing temporary closures to both the bridge and Hiawatha Avenue, the city of Minneapolis said.

In February, one of the bridge's diaphragm plates fractured and caused a pair of suspension cables to break loose. Months later, an engineering firm concluded that the bridge's plates had sustained fatigue, which was brought on by wind-induced vibrations.

WEB EXTRA: Full Report On Bridge Findings (.PDF)

The city announced the scheduled repairs Thursday, which will consist of crews installing a retrofitted diaphragm plate to the bridge. Crews will begin their work at 7 a.m. Sunday and the bridge will be closed to bike and pedestrian traffic for one week. During the repairs, traffic will be detoured to the intersection of 28th Street and Hiawatha Avenue.

Moreover, both directions of Hiawatha Avenue – between East 26th Street and East 28th Street – will close at 7 a.m. Sunday. However, Hiawatha is scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday. Detours will be posted, and the city suspects the repair work will likely be completed before 5 a.m., which will allow for traffic to flow sooner.

The city also said a second closure on Hiawatha may be possible.