Coon Rapids residents looking forward to the completion of the new pedestrian bridge will have to wait a little bit longer. Due to unforeseen damage during transport, the planned closure of Coon Rapids Boulevard for the installation of an arched steel truss pedestrian bridge has been postponed, according to the city's official update on Tuesday. The bridge, part of the Port Riverwalk development and aimed at improving pedestrian safety, encountered this delay just as it was on the cusp of its installation process.
Originally, the boulevard was scheduled to shut down overnight on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 to allow crew members to assemble and place the truss. Westbound traffic was supposed to resume by 6 a.m. on Oct. 30, with the eastbound lanes following after the bolts on the truss were fully tensioned, a process expected to finish by mid-morning. To reduce nighttime disturbances, the tensioning was intentionally scheduled during the daylight hours.
However, because of the damage, a rescheduled plan is anticipated, forcing residents and commuters to watch for further updates. The ambitious project, boasting a hefty $4.6 million price tag, is largely supported by state and federal grants. Once completed, it will provide a much-needed link for the Coon Creek Regional Trail across the bustling six-lane Coon Rapids Boulevard, which sees a daily traffic volume of 31,000 vehicles.
Detours will redirect traffic along Hanson Boulevard, Northdale Boulevard (north of Highway 10), and Foley Boulevard as necessary during the closures. The city authorities have been working to keep the public informed, and updates to the construction schedule will be communicated promptly to minimize inconvenience. Despite this setback, the end goal remains clear: the enhancement of pedestrian connectivity and safety on a road well-traveled.
