10th Ave Bridge Reopening Friday

[MisterClaw]

The 10th Ave Bridge is reopening Friday with reconfigured lanes.

http://www.startribune.com/10072/rich_media/1390155.html

Yeah! Two 6' dedicated bike lanes!

[batjerk]

Suite! Er, I mean sweet! or something. Never used it myself, but it looks good to me.

[ebrandel]

The 10th Ave Bridge is reopening Friday with reconfigured lanes.

http://www.startribune.com/10072/rich_media/1390155.html

Yeah! Two 6' dedicated bike lanes!

I've never ridden across that bridge, but from the graphic there were already two dedicated bike lanes, and they seem to actually have been in better spots originally.

[Konaboy]

I've never ridden across that bridge, but from the graphic there were already two dedicated bike lanes, and they seem to actually have been in better spots originally.

I would agree, but in the past that bridge never carried much traffic due to 35W being right next to it. Now with that gone and having the dedicated viewing area to see the ruins it makes sense to have them separated. I still have to question a plan that takes a bridge that previously carried 2 lanes of traffic each way and reduces it to one.

[Drew K.]

I don't know if i would even attempt to drive over this yet... There is going to be a ton of traffic on there. it should be the easiest and fastest way around to washington to get back onto 35, but everyone will be using it and with only one lane of traffic, no way! biking across it won't be bad!

[syntaxjunkie]

How thoughtful of them to include a carnage gawker platform.

[RiverRat]

I've never ridden across that bridge, but from the graphic there were already two dedicated bike lanes, and they seem to actually have been in better spots originally.

The previous "bike lanes" were merely shoulders, that were always filled with sand, broken glass, broken plastic parts from cars, and other various garbage. The speed limit on the bridge is 30, but nobody ever went that slow, and it was rare to make it across without cars crowding into the should (bike lane?). I like that the new "bike lane" has some sort of barrier, even if it is only construction cones. Hopefully they will do a better job of keeping it clean. But yes, it would be nice if there was one on each side so you don't have to cross the road twice if you are heading south.

[MisterClaw]

How thoughtful of them to include a carnage gawker platform.
Remember, people are going to watch the new bridge being built too.

[batjerk]

Hmm... Me thinks there ought to be a gawker lane on every road (or at least the freeways) so the rest of us can continue our journeys without too much slowdown...

[Lezgo Cycling]

I cant say that I have ever used the bridge either...but is anyone up for gawking at the carnage...or future new bridge site (whichever you prefer) this monday. Bike around the city, get lunch, gawk, etc

[rigtenzin]

This is good news. Before the bridge collapse, this was part of my route everyday to work. I never had any trouble riding on it. There was debris all over it, but the shoulder (or was it a bike path?) was good enough.

When they closed the 10th Ave. bridge, I was forced to find new routes through the area. I used East River Road and the Washington Ave. bridges. I know the area much better now.

[stoneage]

I still have to question a plan that takes a bridge that previously carried 2 lanes of traffic each way and reduces it to one.
That's a big DUH!!!
They paint all the freeways in the area with an extra lane, and close two lanes on the most important local route. I say open up 10th to four lanes and hang curtains on both sides so people can't gawk. Tomorrow will be a panic with the U opening for business; and how 'bout that first snowfall?

[MisterClaw]

That's a big DUH!!!
They paint all the freeways in the area with an extra lane, and close two lanes on the most important local route. I say open up 10th to four lanes and hang curtains on both sides so people can't gawk. Tomorrow will be a panic with the U opening for business; and how 'bout that first snowfall?

There's *no* way the streets that feed the traffic to the bridge can deliver more than 2 lanes worth of traffic. The bottleneck is not the bridge. I was in the area and the roads leading up to the 10th Ave bridge were already all backed up, but the bridge itself wasn't bad.

[stoneage]

the roads leading up to the 10th Ave bridge were already all backed up
Probably all the gawkers showing up. I was just questioning the closing of ANY lanes for traffic at this point in time. It doesn't seem to make sense. They painted an extra lane from Highway 100 to East 694 to alleviate congestion. I would think that expanding any place to put our beloved autos would be an asset. The road is a natural conduit between the east and west banks of the U. There is a major thoroughfare to the north. (University) and to the South (Washington). Logic seems that if you eliminate the gawkers everything would flow smoother. It's not going to be easy, but I can't see a gawkers gallery helping. How about a temporary road tying Cedar to 35W right behind those apartments in the last picture? I bet they're going to get real creative in the next month or so.

[MisterClaw]

I bet they're going to get real creative in the next month or so.
I'll be watching it - the wife's a law student at the U so I'll be informed daily *exactly* how bad 10th Ave is. At least we are coming from the south and not the north.

[MisterClaw]

Just biked across 10th ave this morning for a while, and they've just made some changed.

The southbound bike lane is gone, but the north bound bike lane is still there.


http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1480454.html