44th Avenue NE Bridge in Fridley Reopens for Winter as Reconstruction Pauses

FRIDLEY, Minn.

As of January 16, 2026, the 44th Avenue NE bridge over the BNSF Railway in Fridley has temporarily reopened to traffic, restoring a vital east west connection across the city as major construction activity pauses for the winter season. The reopening offers short term relief to residents, commuters, and local businesses that have adjusted to detours during one of the region’s most significant transportation projects in recent years.

The bridge, which carries County State Aid Highway 2, spans the BNSF Northtown Rail Yard and links East River Road to Main Street NE. The project is being led by the Anoka County Highway Department in collaboration with the City of Fridley and BNSF Railway. County officials describe the winter reopening as a planned pause rather than a project milestone, dictated by weather conditions that limit concrete work, paving, and structural finishing.

A bridge built to last another half century

Originally constructed in the 1970s, the 44th Avenue NE bridge had reached a point where extensive rehabilitation was required to ensure long term safety and reliability. Engineers identified wear to the concrete deck and supporting elements that could not be addressed through routine maintenance alone. The current effort is designed to extend the bridge’s service life by approximately 50 years, securing a critical corridor that carries thousands of vehicles daily and passes over one of the busiest rail yards in the Upper Midwest.

The project corridor runs along 44th Avenue NE between East River Road, also known as County State Aid Highway 1, and Main Street NE, designated County State Aid Highway 102. Construction began in late March 2025 after months of planning, environmental review, and coordination with rail operations below.

Scope, funding, and regional significance

With an estimated total cost of about $16 million, the bridge rehabilitation represents a layered investment in regional infrastructure. Funding is drawn from federal transportation aid, including allocations administered through the Metropolitan Council, along with Anoka County transportation sales tax revenue and state funding sources. County officials have emphasized that the mix of funding reflects the bridge’s importance not only to Fridley, but to the broader Twin Cities transportation network.

Beyond structural repairs, the project integrates roadway reconstruction on bridge approaches, upgraded traffic signals at East River Road, and improvements aimed at safer, more predictable traffic flow through the corridor.

More than cars and trucks

A central feature of the project is the addition of a dedicated multi use trail for pedestrians and cyclists. The trail is intended to close a long identified gap in Fridley’s active transportation network and aligns with priorities outlined in the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. When complete, the trail will provide a safer crossing over the rail yard for people walking, biking, or using mobility devices, linking neighborhoods that have long been separated by both rail infrastructure and high traffic volumes.

While the bridge is currently open to traffic, county officials caution that it remains an active construction zone. Temporary pavement markings and winter condition controls are in place, and drivers are urged to remain alert as conditions can change quickly during freeze thaw cycles.

What comes next

Construction is scheduled to resume in the spring of 2026, typically in April or May depending on weather. When crews return, residents should expect renewed lane restrictions and, at times, temporary closures as final phases are completed. Remaining work includes permanent site stabilization, installation of decorative metal railings and fencing, final paving, traffic signal activation, landscaping, and completion of the multi-use trail surface.

Final completion of the project is currently targeted for late 2026. Until then, the winter reopening of the 44th Avenue NE bridge stands as a seasonal but meaningful restoration of connectivity, one that underscores the balance between immediate community needs and the long view required to rebuild aging infrastructure safely and responsibly.

MinneapoliMedia