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.

Due to the current state of the bridge, it is inspected yearly to ensure it is safe for the traveling public. It is load restricted meaning heavily loaded trucks are not allowed to use the bridge. The load ratings are posted by signs indicating the load limit.

A property is considered “historic” if it qualifies for the National Register of Historic Places. In the last decades of the twentieth century, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) began conducting inventories of its bridges to identify historic structures. In the twenty-first century, it began evaluating potentially historic bridges owned by county, city, and other non-MnDOT entities statewide. Following a 2012 report on the results of this local bridge survey, MnDOT developed management plans for 140 bridges that the 2012 report identified as historic, including the Wooddale Avenue Bridge. MnDOT also prepared National Register nominations for these bridges, resulting in Wooddale Avenue Bridge’s listing in the National Register in 2016.

The bridge was built in 1937, a product of a depression-era federal relief program. The construction crew used readily available Platteville limestone for the headwalls and for retaining walls along the creekbank. The multiplate, corrugated-metal arch structure features a single, 18-foot span. The bridge was listed in the National Register for its significance in the areas of Politics/Government (for its association with the relief program) and Engineering (for the corrugated-metal arch design). The timeframe when it obtained significance (its “period of significance”) is 1937. The bridge has also been designated as a local landmark by the Edina Heritage Preservation Commission.

If a federal agency is funding or licensing a project that might affect historic properties, the agency must follow a review process known as Section 106. This process has several steps:

               1. Determine whether or not the project must comply with Section 106. If it does, the federal agency can delegate its Section 106 responsibilities to another agency, such as a local government. For the Wooddale Avenue Bridge, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has delegated its Section 106 responsibility to the City of Edina.

2. Establish the project’s “Area of Potential Effect” (APE). The APE for archaeological properties includes areas where ground will be disturbed by the project. The APE for above-ground properties can extend further to include surrounding properties that might experience visual or other effects from the project.

3. Identify historic resources in the APE—namely, properties listed in the National Register or eligible for designation. In addition to the bridge, two other properties in the APE appear to qualify for the National Register: Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church and the Blackbourn House (5015 Wooddale Lane). Archaeologists determined that there is little likelihood that significant archaeological sites will be affected by the project.

4. Assess effects to determine if the project will cause any “adverse effects” to historic properties such as demolition, incompatible alterations, or other changes that would damage the property’s historic character. Demolishing the Wooddale Avenue Bridge would be an adverse effect.

5. Consider alternatives to avoid or minimize the adverse effect. If this is not possible, mitigation must be implemented to offset the adverse effect. Mitigation measures are outlined in a memorandum of agreement. At Wooddale, mitigation for the loss of the bridge has not been established. An appropriate design of a replacement bridge could avoid adverse effects on the other historic properties.

The agency responsible for completing the Section 106 review 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. For the Wooddale project, consulting groups include MnDOT’s Cultural Resources Unit, the Edina Heritage Preservation Commission, the Edina Historical Society, and Saint Stephen’s, in addition to the SHPO. Groups or individuals who want to become part of the consultation process should contact Chad Millner at the City.

It is being recommended for replacement because it is nearly impossible to rehabilitate this type of structure without removing and replacing almost the entire bridge. The following graphic depicts how much of the bridge would be impacted by rehabilitation. With so little left, it is more prudent to replace the bridge with one that better meets today’s safety standards and transportation needs.  

Construction of a replacement bridge is unknown at this time. Bridge design and plan approvals are still needed to replace the bridge. After approvals of a replacement bridge is obtained, staff will review available funding to determine a construction timeline.

The exact funding sources have not been identified yet but most likely will include the city municipal state aid funds, city utility funds, and the city’s pedestrian and cyclist safety (PACS) fund. The project team is looking for grant funding opportunities. Special assessment will most likely not be used to fund this project.

Yes. Wooddale Avenue will be closed during this project.

Most likely not. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has rules for stream flow under bridges and through culverts. This project would have to meet their rules. The current rules would not allow a larger opening or higher bridge. A larger opening would increase flood risk to properties downstream.