35W - soon to be reopen for traffic

[Rosie]

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.

 

[Claws for Concern]

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

 

[Rosie]

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.

 

[Claws for Concern]

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

 

[Armchair_QB]

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

No.

 

[Football_Bat]

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

 

[micropolitan guy]

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?

 

[slappy4428]

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

 

[Rough Mix]

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

 

[slappy4428]

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.

 

[zeke12]

Five lanes? That's pretty sweet.

 

[Rosie]

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

 

[whatwoulddamondo?]

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?

a. impressive that it was built so quickly. did they have good weather last winter to help the process along?
b. screw the "architectural jewel" crap. that's part of the reason why we're in the fiscal situation that we are. everything has to be grand. can't something be functional? look, it's the government's money, and people should respect that. the state shouldn't gonna go spend an extra $100 million to make it look like a taj mahal bridge. in addition, i think building something gaudy there, on the site of a tragedy, would be a slap in the face to those who died.

 

[slappy4428]

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

Have to take the Crosstown to get to my parents house when I fly in... I don't miss driving that from MSP to Minnetonka...