Pedestrian Bridge Damaged En Route to Coon Rapids; Installation Postponed Indefinitely

COON RAPIDS, Minn. — The planned overnight closures of Coon Rapids Boulevard this week have been abruptly canceled after the new arched steel truss pedestrian bridge, destined for the Port Riverwalk area, was damaged in transit.

The City of Coon Rapids confirmed late Tuesday afternoon, October 28, that the installation—originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, and Thursday, October 30—has been postponed indefinitely. This update follows the traffic alert published yesterday, October 28, 2025, which had notified the public about two nights of planned road closures between Zilla Street and Egret Boulevard to allow for bridge placement.

Bridge Struck Overpass on Highway 65

According to Council Member Pat Carlson, the delay stems from an accident that occurred while the bridge was being transported to the construction site. Carlson confirmed that the steel truss bridge struck an overpass on Highway 65 after it was found to be too tall for the clearance.

“Unfortunately, the pedestrian bridge was too tall for an overpass on Highway 65, and it struck the bridge overpass as it was being transported to Coon Rapids,” Carlson said in a public statement. “The good news is that even with a secondary crash, there were no injuries. The pedestrian bridge was damaged, so there’s no doubt this will set things back.”

While no injuries were reported, officials say the impact caused significant damage to the bridge structure, requiring inspection and potential repairs before installation can proceed.

Coon Rapids Boulevard to Remain Open

In a 3 p.m. update on Tuesday, city officials announced that Coon Rapids Boulevard will remain open overnight October 29–30, reversing the earlier plan for full closures. The city said a revised construction schedule will be announced once engineers assess the extent of the damage and determine next steps for the project.

The pedestrian bridge—budgeted at $4.6 million and funded primarily through state and federal grants—is designed to connect the north and south segments of the Coon Creek Regional Trail near Zilla Street. When completed, it will provide a safe crossing over the six-lane Coon Rapids Boulevard, which carries approximately 31,000 vehicles per day.

Despite the setback, city officials reiterated their commitment to completing the project, emphasizing its importance in improving pedestrian and cyclist safety in the rapidly developing Port Riverwalk area.

For official updates, residents can visit the City of Coon Rapids website at coonrapidsmn.gov.

MinneapoliMedia