Design and historical considerations
The John Ireland Blvd. bridge is within the boundaries of an area overseen by the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB), a 12-member board authorized in state law with jurisdiction over design decisions in the historic district near the state Capitol. The board is chaired by the lieutenant governor.
As such, the replacement bridge must look like the style of other architecture in the Capitol area while preserving architectural features like the John Ireland Blvd. Gatehouses. We are committed to designing a new bridge that complements and preserves the community’s vision for the historic district.
In 2023, we will gather feedback on design concepts for the bridge to determine a final layout, which will include several options for bike and pedestrian facilities on the bridge.
We will also complete accessibility improvements at the John Ireland Blvd. and Rice St. intersection. MnDOT will consult directly with the CAAPB and the City of Saint Paul as part of this project.
Other design considerations
- Safety
- Long-term maintenance
- Preservation of historic and cultural aspects of the bridge
- City of Saint Paul 2040 Comprehensive Plan
- City of Saint Paul bike plan