I-35W Saint Anthony Falls Bridge

Saint Anthony Falls Bridge
Opening day, September 18, 2008, from south end.
Coordinates	44°58′44″N 93°14′42″W / 44.97889°N 93.24500°W / 44.97889; -93.24500
Carries	10 Lanes of I-35W; light-rail or bus-way-ready[1]
Crosses	Mississippi River
Locale	Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Official name	I-35W Saint Anthony Falls Bridge[2]
Maintained by	Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT)
ID number	NBI 27410 (Northbound), 27409 (Southbound)
Characteristics
Design	Post-tensioned precast box girder bridge[3]
Total length	1,216 feet (371 m)[3]
Width	180 feet (55 m)[1]
Height	120 feet (37 m)[1] (estimated)
Longest span	504 feet (154 m)[3]
Clearance below	70 feet (21 m)[3]
History
Construction start	October 30, 2007[2]
Opened	September 18, 2008[4]
Statistics
Daily traffic	168,000[5]
Location

The I-35W Saint Anthony Falls Bridge crosses the Mississippi River one-half mile (875 m) downstream from the Saint Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the U.S., carrying north–south traffic on Interstate 35W. The ten-lane bridge replaced the I-35W Mississippi River bridge, which collapsed on August 1, 2007. It was planned and is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The planning, design, and construction processes were completed more quickly than normal because Interstate 35W is a critical artery for commuters and truck freight.^[1] The bridge opened September 18, 2008, well ahead of the original goal of December 24.^[6]