Overnight Closures on Coon Rapids Boulevard for Pedestrian Bridge Installation in Port Riverwalk

Overnight Closures on Coon Rapids Boulevard for Pedestrian Bridge Installation in Port Riverwalk

COON RAPIDS, Minn. — Motorists traveling through Coon Rapids should plan for overnight closures on Coon Rapids Boulevard this week as construction crews lift and install a new arched steel truss pedestrian bridge over the roadway in the Port Riverwalk area.

The full closure will affect both directions of Coon Rapids Boulevard between Zilla Street and Egret Boulevard on the nights of Wednesday, October 29, and Thursday, October 30, to allow crews to complete this critical phase of the project.

Overnight Timeline and Work Details

Wednesday, October 29, to Thursday, October 30:
Crews will close the roadway at 7 p.m. Wednesday to begin assembling the truss. Westbound lanes are expected to fully reopen by 6 a.m. Thursday, while eastbound lanes will reopen partially—with one or two lanes open—until all bolts on the truss are fully tensioned. That process is anticipated to conclude by mid-morning, with work scheduled during daylight hours to minimize nighttime noise and light disruption.

Thursday, October 30, to Friday, October 31:
The second overnight closure will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday. Crews estimate it will take six to seven hours to set the truss into place. Once the structure is secured and cranes are cleared from the roadway, both directions of Coon Rapids Boulevard will reopen to traffic.

Detours and Project Overview

During both overnight closures, drivers are advised to use the official detour route following Hanson Boulevard, Northdale Boulevard (north of Highway 10), and Foley Boulevard.

Once complete later this year, the new pedestrian bridge will connect the Coon Creek Regional Trail on the north and south sides of Coon Rapids Boulevard near Zilla Street. Designed to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety, the bridge spans a six-lane corridor that carries an estimated 31,000 vehicles daily.

The $4.6 million project is primarily funded through state and federal grants, reflecting a major investment in local infrastructure and multimodal safety.

For more information and updates, visit the City of Coon Rapids official website at coonrapidsmn.gov.

MinneapoliMedia