Wooddale Avenue Bridge Project

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

The City is considering replacing the existing bridge because the existing limestone (relatively weak building material) masonry railings and corrugated-metal arch are deteriorating. In addition, the height and strength of the railings does not meet current standards and the narrow deck is inadequate to safely accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.

Construction of a replacement bridge is unknown at this time. Staff is completing the Section 106 review process and must consult with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and other interested parties, such as relevant state agencies, local heritage preservation commissions, and interested individuals, as it goes through the process.

  1. Multi-plate Corrugated Metal Arch
  2. Limestone Masonry Railing and Headwall
  3. Concrete Footing — Cracked in multiple locations, scour occurring under north footing.
  4. Metal Arch — Corroded at concrete footing. Arch could be strengthened but corrosion would continue and bridge’s load-carrying capacity would be limited, as it is now.
  5. Fill — Fill above metal arch must be removed to repair corroding arch and cracked concrete footings. Stone railings/headwalls would be difficult to brace during process.
  6. Limestone Railing & Headwall — Railing doesn’t meet crash standards. Stone is severely deteriorated.
  7. Roadway — Roadway needs to be 10’ wider for pedestrian and bike use. West headwall would have to be taken down stone by stone and rebuilt 10’ to the west. Stone would crumble in process.

The City is considering replacing the existing bridge because the existing limestone (relatively weak building material) masonry railings and corrugated-metal arch are deteriorating. In addition, the height and strength of the railings does not meet current standards and the narrow deck is inadequate to safely accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.

Construction of a replacement bridge is unknown at this time. Staff is completing the Section 106 review process and must consult with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and other interested parties, such as relevant state agencies, local heritage preservation commissions, and interested individuals, as it goes through the process.

  1. Multi-plate Corrugated Metal Arch
  2. Limestone Masonry Railing and Headwall
  3. Concrete Footing — Cracked in multiple locations, scour occurring under north footing.
  4. Metal Arch — Corroded at concrete footing. Arch could be strengthened but corrosion would continue and bridge’s load-carrying capacity would be limited, as it is now.
  5. Fill — Fill above metal arch must be removed to repair corroding arch and cracked concrete footings. Stone railings/headwalls would be difficult to brace during process.
  6. Limestone Railing & Headwall — Railing doesn’t meet crash standards. Stone is severely deteriorated.
  7. Roadway — Roadway needs to be 10’ wider for pedestrian and bike use. West headwall would have to be taken down stone by stone and rebuilt 10’ to the west. Stone would crumble in process.

Comments

Please leave feedback here. 

You need to be signed in to comment in this Guest Book. Click here to Sign In or Register to get involved

The charm and beauty of this bridge is truly exceptional, and it evokes a sense of the Scottish heritage of Edina. We obviously need a safe bridge, but we should take all reasonable steps to preserve the look and feel of the current bridge. To do anything less would be a true loss.

Gary Tygesson over 1 year ago

I am all for restoring the bridge for modern use and pedestrian safety while preserving the beauty of the structure.

Elissa Bean over 1 year ago

I am starting to look at the proposal for the Wooddale bridge. It seems from the web page that the bridge would essentially be rebuilt.

A couple of threshold questions for me: is the bridge deficient, and what is the record of accidents on the bridge? There is no sense building an ugly monster to address problems that don’t exist.

I saw one comment about raising the bridge to make it easier to canoe under. If the water is too high to canoe under the bridge, it’s probably too fast to be canoeing, anyway. Plus, you’d have to re-engineer the approaches at ruinous expense.

Lastly, it is a historic bridge, one of the most beautiful in Edina. St. Stephens and the bridge are part of a set. It would be a shame to ruin the aesthetics.

Thanks Steve Timmer
(Received by email from a resident, entered by Liz Moore, Engineering Admin Coordinator)

Liz Moore over 1 year ago

I am supportive of this project to address safety concerns as long as the final look/feel of the bridge is maintained using identical (or almost identical) outward appearing materials. It is the welcome bridge into the neighborhood and a very special feature that must be maintained.

Katie Ohotto over 1 year ago

I hope when the bridge is replaced for safety and accessibility, which I support, that the original design will be replicated as much as possible and, most importantly, that real stone will be used for the facings - as opposed to a manufactured product which is probably more economical. I am a homeowner of 32 years in the next block and the bridge is on a regular route for me walking and biking.

Lucia Lahiff Crane over 1 year ago

I strongly support preservation and restoration of the historic bridge, the National Register exists to protect historic places, and if we optimized for functionality we would have lost many historical sites and monuments around our country—cities like Boston, Charleston, Savannah, and Washington D.C. would have been razed in favor of traffic patterns. The bridge is a special and unique part of Edina history, and has always felt like coming home to me every time I drive over it (have lived in the neighborhood over 25 years)

Kari over 1 year ago

Sounds like a great improvement to safety! Would be great to keep the pretty historic look in the process.

Kari Norman over 1 year ago

I drive down Wooddale Ave almost daily and support the reconstruction of the bridge while maintaining historical integrity.

The project seems to be focused on reconstruction however given the amount of pedestrian traffic, I would hope that sidewalks, bike lanes, and at least a consideration of walking underpass would be considered. The number of children riding their bikes up/down Wooddale Avenue is extremely dangerous in the current state and it would be a shame if a more dramatic solution wasn't explored given the scope of the project.

Christina Bourne over 1 year ago

Hi! If you do replace it, I hope the process of doing so takes into account pedestrians during the process. I live at 5111 and no longer have a car but walk to Vet Memorial to sit and read in sun, walk north to my daughter's place in Country Club and walk to the vill a lot to get groceries, etc., but wouldn't want to have to walk south to the circle around Arden etc. in order to go north to those places. :-) I also should say I love the design of the bridge and think you should not deviate from that. Burton Hanson

(Received by email from a resident, entered by Liz Moore, Engineering Admin Coordinator)

Liz Moore over 1 year ago

I drive over that bridge often. Yes it is narrow and at times treacherous to have 2 large vehicles crossing simultaneously

Separate crossings for automobiles from pedestrians and or bikes could be a safer option. I guess this structure would look like an upgraded bridge w adjoining bike and pedestrian path. Not ideal but user friendly and promotes walking and riding.

The tunnel connecting Lake Calhoun to Lake of the Isles is another option as it brings the residents down to eye level w the creek to enjoy the natural setting. Above would be the auto traffic

Would like to see more native habitat planted around the bridge. Maybe wood duck and swallow houses.

(Received by email from a resident, entered by Liz Moore, Engineering Admin Coordinator)

Liz Moore over 1 year ago

A wider bridge will increase traffic cutting through area neighborhoods. Is there a mitigation plan?

KSB over 1 year ago

LOL “ the narrow deck is inadequate to safely accommodate pedestrians and bicycles.” Then why did you rebuild Wyman Avenue so narrow that it’s almost a one lane street? It is the most dangerous street in Edina for bicycles and cars.

That said, why not hire skilled stone masons to rebuild the limestone railings and head wall, using new stones that are exactly the same size as old old crumbling stones? Hopefully would result in a carbon-copy of the old bridge, but up to modern standards.

MayerHighrise over 1 year ago

Fix the bridge as noted

Tim Diegel over 1 year ago

Focus should be on function and durability, not spending a lot of extra $ to mimic the old bridge. As others have suggested, install a sign or marker to pay homage to original bridge. Thanks.

Bob M over 1 year ago

I understand the need to save the bridge from crumbling and make it carry pedestrians and bicycles. I hope the design and materials can as much as possibloe mimic the old arch shape and the look of the limestone.

Deb M over 1 year ago

Any and all efforts should be taken to maintain the historical integrity of this Nationally recognized historical resource, while at the same time completing restoration efforts to uphold community safety. Edina's history is at an impasse with massive new development projects, it is essential to maintain our historical resources now before it is all lost.

bmj1886 over 1 year ago

I cross that bridge multiple times a day and think it is lovely. When it is replaced I would hope that any new design would keep the historic look while maintaining safety and accessibility for all users. Perhaps some of the old limestone could be incorporated into the design on or near the site.

Ericka W over 1 year ago

Agreed that a functional bridge is more important than the history of the original construction in a case like this. The WPA was great, and people should learn about it in class or books, and as mentioned in a previous comment, a sign would be nice (actually more educational than the current bridge, which I have walked up to many times and never known about its history.

Jeff Nowak over 1 year ago

No information on how restoration will be done and what will be gained or lost of its history. Can the bridge be restored keeping its history?

Victoria Joy Wilcox over 1 year ago

A safe bridge is more important than a historical one. A sign could be put up near the new one telling the old bridges story.

Sabrina over 1 year ago
Page last updated: 07 Feb 2024, 09:40 AM