35W - soon to be reopen for traffic

New 35W Bridge To Open Thursday Morning

After making several trips to the Twin Cities in the last couple weeks, with a couple requiring major detours because of the bridge collapse, I'm glad to see the Cities traffic will return to normal.

But I'll be honest, I don't know how long it will take for me to get the nerve up to cross the new bridge.

Irrational? Yeah, most likely. I doubt I'm the only Minnesotan to feel that way.

 

Do I need to cross it to get to the stadium for a Vikings' game?

 

Depends on which way you go.

I went to the Twins game last weekend and went the way I always do - 280 to 94 West to Fifth Street. Gone that way for more than 20 years.

Rarely did I take 35W south to the Dome. Only once in a great while.

 

If I'm coming from the airport toward the stadium, would I not have to cross it?

 

No.

 

Good. That bottleneck between the Decatur cutoff and Loop 820 has been a pain in the ass.

 

I read in USA Today this morning that someone was complaining they didn't build an "architectural jewel."

What the hell do people want? It's done ahead of schedule, it looks massive and imposing, it's practical, and probably done at or near budget. (Who expects less from Midwesterners?)

Bridges and highways are supposed to safely and efficiently move traffic from point A to point B. As long as it works, is safe, and isn't hidious to look at, who cares if it's not the Golden Gate Bridge?

 

awful quick... but good for them...

 

http://www.startribune.com/photos/?c=y&img=M4286837.JPG

 

Thanks for posting that... Got sick of trying to find a photo on the strib site. All I ever saw was video and I didn't want video, just wanted to see what the bridge looked like.

 

Five lanes? That's pretty sweet.

 

Sure, till you hit Crosstown and sit for five hours.