HomeMy WebLinkAboutRosland Park Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Press ReleaseContact: Brittany Bader, Digital Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • BBader@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Seeks Input on Rosland Park Pedestrian Bridge Design
Community Can Contribute Online or at Upcoming In-Person Meeting
Edina, Minn., Dec. 1, 2023 – The City of Edina is seeking public input on design concepts for the replacement of the pedestrian bridge over Minnesota Highway 62 at Rosland Park. While
the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) owns the bridge, the City and MnDOT are partnering together on the design and construction of the new bridge.
Community members can review concepts and provide input on what they value in a new bridge at BetterTogetherEdina.org now through Monday, Dec. 11. If you prefer to share your ideas in
person, there will be a public meeting with City staff 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility, 7450 Metro Blvd. No registration is required to attend
the meeting.
Upon reviewing the concepts, public input and staff recommendations, the City Council is scheduled to select a bridge option to move forward with at its Dec. 19 meeting. Once the City
Council selects a preliminary concept, the project will go through MnDOT design approvals and bidding over the course of 2024. Construction of the replacement bridge is anticipated
for 2025.
“All feedback is considered regardless of how it’s submitted. Provide feedback in the way that works for you, because it will all be shared with City Council,” said Community Engagement
Manager MJ Lamon. “This project is utilizing a tool a City staff team developed called ‘Values Viewfinder’ to incorporate the City’s core values of sustainability, equity, health in
all policies and community engagement into decision making.”
About the Bridge and Why the Replacement is Needed
The bridge, originally constructed in 1963, is a critical connection for pedestrians to cross Highway 62, allowing people north of the highway to safely access Rosland Park and its amenities,
including the Edina Aquatic Center.
In 2022, the bridge was struck twice by vehicles traveling on the highway, once in January and once in August, resulting in substantial damage and the bridge being closed for about one
year. MnDOT made necessary temporary repairs in January 2023 so the bridge could be reopened.
While the bridge is a piece of critical transportation infrastructure, it does not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards as is and has been identified by City staff for
ADA improvements.
The new bridge is anticipated to cost approximately $6 million and will be
funded by both MnDOT and through a legislative bonding bill. The goals for
the replacement are the following:
Improve safety and mobility for all users
Create ADA-compliant pedestrian and bike route
Improve connectivity between the residential neighborhoods and Rosland Park
Limit impacts on residential and park properties, trees, and road operations with an eye on long term operations and maintenance
The City worked with engineering firm Bolton & Menk to put together 11 possible concepts for a new bridge and weigh each concept against a set of criteria that was developed with input
from residents, staff, MnDOT and consultants. Major themes of the criteria include safety,
accessibility, environmental and residential considerations, costs and traffic impacts. Based on the analysis, City staff recommend a concept that calls for switchback ramps built east
of the new bridge structure to serve as the access points from either side.
“Each of the 11 pedestrian bridge options have pros and cons, but ultimately Option 1A is currently recommended because it achieves the project goals with the least disadvantages. That
said, we hope to get more feedback from people who live, work and visit Edina as to how they use and value the bridge ahead of the City Council selecting a concept,” said Assistant
City Engineer Aaron Ditzler.
To learn more about the project, view the concepts and provide public input, visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/Rosland-Park-Bridge.
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City Seeks Input on Rosland Park Pedestrian Bridge Design
Community Can Contribute Online or at Upcoming In-Person Meeting
Edina, Minn., Dec. 1, 2023 – The City of Edina is seeking public input on design concepts for the replacement of the pedestrian bridge over Minnesota Highway 62 at Rosland Park. While
the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) owns the bridge, the City and MnDOT are partnering together on the design and construction of the new bridge.
Community members can review concepts and provide input on what they value in a new bridge at BetterTogetherEdina.org now through Monday, Dec. 11. If you prefer to share your ideas in
person, there will be a public meeting with City staff 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Public Works & Park Maintenance Facility, 7450 Metro Blvd. No registration is required to attend
the meeting.
Upon reviewing the concepts, public input and staff recommendations, the City Council is scheduled to select a bridge option to move forward with at its Dec. 19 meeting. Once the City
Council selects a preliminary concept, the project will go through MnDOT design approvals and bidding over the course of 2024. Construction of the replacement bridge is anticipated
for 2025.
“All feedback is considered regardless of how it’s submitted. Provide feedback in the way that works for you, because it will all be shared with City Council,” said Community Engagement
Manager MJ Lamon. “This project is utilizing a tool a City staff team developed called ‘Values Viewfinder’ to incorporate the City’s core values of sustainability, equity, health in
all policies and community engagement into decision making.”
About the Bridge and Why the Replacement is Needed
The bridge, originally constructed in 1963, is a critical connection for pedestrians to cross Highway 62, allowing people north of the highway to safely access Rosland Park and its amenities,
including the Edina Aquatic Center.
In 2022, the bridge was struck twice by vehicles traveling on the highway, once in January and once in August, resulting in substantial damage and the bridge being closed for about one
year. MnDOT made necessary temporary repairs in January 2023 so the bridge could be reopened.
While the bridge is a piece of critical transportation infrastructure, it does not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards as is and has been identified by City staff for
ADA improvements.
The new bridge is anticipated to cost approximately $6 million and will be
funded by both MnDOT and through a legislative bonding bill. The goals for
the replacement are the following:
Improve safety and mobility for all users
Create ADA-compliant pedestrian and bike route
Improve connectivity between the residential neighborhoods and Rosland Park
Limit impacts on residential and park properties, trees, and road operations with an eye on long term operations and maintenance
The City worked with engineering firm Bolton & Menk to put together 11 possible concepts for a new bridge and weigh each concept against a set of criteria that was developed with input
from residents, staff, MnDOT and consultants. Major themes of the criteria include safety,
accessibility, environmental and residential considerations, costs and traffic impacts. Based on the analysis, City staff recommend a concept that calls for switchback ramps built east
of the new bridge structure to serve as the access points from either side.
“Each of the 11 pedestrian bridge options have pros and cons, but ultimately Option 1A is currently recommended because it achieves the project goals with the least disadvantages. That
said, we hope to get more feedback from people who live, work and visit Edina as to how they use and value the bridge ahead of the City Council selecting a concept,” said Assistant
City Engineer Aaron Ditzler.
To learn more about the project, view the concepts and provide public input, visit BetterTogetherEdina.org/Rosland-Park-Bridge.
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