Washington Avenue Bridge (Bridge 9360)
See features of the bridge
History and significance
The Washington Avenue Bridge was constructed in 1965 to carry vehicular and pedestrian traffic over the Mississippi River and to link the expanding University of Minnesota main east campus to a new west bank campus. The 1,130-foot-long, six-span bridge has three main spans, which are continuous welded haunched steel girders, and two steel girder approach spans. In 2012 four Warren deck-truss lines were added between the original steel girder lines to support the addition of light-rail tracks and the approach spans were also upgraded with additional supporting deck-truss lines. This bridge was one of the first in the nation to use A441 high-strength, low-alloy steel in its superstructure, which allowed for the structural connections to be welded rather than riveted. It is also the only known double-deck bridge in Minnesota with a pedestrian upper deck and a vehicular lower deck. The Washington Avenue Bridge is significant for its innovative engineering techniques and as an important crossing in Minneapolis connecting the university campuses.
Rehabilitation activities
Substantial rehabilitation of Bridge 9360 occurred from 2011-2013 to accommodate the new Central Corridor Light Rail transit line. In order to support the new light rail transit line and existing vehicular and pedestrian loads, two lines of Warren trusses were added between the original plate girders. Additionally, two additional pier columns were added to accommodate the additional loads on the bridge. Care was taken to minimize visual impacts to the bridge and to maintain the design aesthetic of the original structure.
Location
City of Minneapolis (Hennepin County)
Latitude, Longitude:
44.97321368, -93.23916133
Bridge features
Design and construction of a double-deck, welded, haunched, continuous plate-girder bridge using A441 high-strength steel.
Overall design concept and architectural elements intended to integrate the bridge with the adjacent academic architecture on both sides of the river, including globe light standards, railing, staircases, and stylistic architectural treatment to the pedestrian enclosure.