The Star-Tribune reports that the Stone Arch Bridge has re-opened in Minneapolis. The City’s website hasn’t caught up.
I use ‘reopen’ loosely, given that it will be a prime vantage point for spectators. The usual people on the Stone Arch follow lane conventions — they’re marked. I’m not optimistic that some of the people who come to view the late I-35W bridge will pay attention.
Once the weekend is over, it provides a usable crossing for bike commuters, as while W. River Road remains closed, much of the surrounding area can be accessed via Portland going up from the river.
August 6, 2007 at 8:49 am
I rode over the Stone Arch Bridge this morning on the way to a dental appointment in downtown Minneapolis. Since I don’t ride this way daily, I don’t know if the crowds on the bridge were bigger than usual, but it was no problem getting through though one does need to pay attention. I think a lot of people are going to be a bit disappointed in the view from there–the bridge structure in the river is hidden by the Lower Saint Anthony Falls damn, the stuff on the sides is fragmentary and hard to see. The spectacular view would be from the 10th Avenue Bridge but I expect that won’t be open for some time.
August 6, 2007 at 10:14 am
The pics I saw last night were pretty nuts. I suspect during morning/evening commute it won’t be so bad, simply because people aren’t going to be out trying to spectate then. Evenings and weekends, though, may be another story.
August 7, 2007 at 7:47 am
I made the mistake of attempting to cross the stone arch last night around 7:30 and it was ridiculously packed with people. I essentially had to roll along at people’s walking speed for most of the way. When a couple of cyclists called out that they were passing or that there was a bike lane they got dirty looks and nasty comments from the peds.
If possible I would recommend avoiding it during evening gawker hours.