Drivers in Coon Rapids should prepare for upcoming disruptions as a new pedestrian bridge is set to be installed over Coon Rapids Boulevard. The construction, which depends on favorable weather conditions, will lead to road closures from Thursday, Dec. 11, into the early hours of Friday, Dec. 12, impacting the stretch between Zilla Street and Egret Boulevard.
The installation is part of the Port Riverwalk development and will necessitate closures to facilitate the placement of an arched steel truss. According to the city's announcement, starting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, eastbound Coon Rapids Boulevard will be narrowed down to a single lane so that a truck crane can be positioned and truss assembly can commence.
Morning traffic on Thursday will see a similar reduction in lanes before a full closure at 7 p.m. permits crews to proceed with crane assembling and truss setting. If all goes according to plan, the boulevard should be open again by 6 a.m. on Friday, as detailed on the City of Coon Rapids website.
The pedestrian bridge is envisioned as a safety improvement, enabling foot traffic to traverse the six-lane roadway that sees a daily count of 31,000 vehicles. The total cost of the project is pegged at $4.6 million, a sum largely covered by state and federal grants. Completion is slated for the spring, at which point it will link the Coon Creek Regional Trail on both northern and southern sides of the boulevard.
During the overnight closure, the city has advised that an official detour will route traffic via Hanson Boulevard, Northdale Boulevard (north of Highway 10), and Foley Boulevard. Motorists should plan accordingly to avoid any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure and associated traffic changes.
