Project overview

Background of the bridge

The Sabo bridge is in Minneapolis, south of 26th St E and crosses Hiawatha Ave S (TH55). It is a special type of bridge made for people who walk and ride bikes.

The bridge, built in 2007, has a tall tower in the middle. Cables stretch from the tower to blocks on one end of the bridge and to points in the concrete deck on the other end.

There are nine points where the cables connect to the bridge. The number 1 cable is closest to the tower and the number 9 cable is the farthest.

An inspection in 2020 found that points 6 and 8 on the sides of the bridge had some problems. There were areas where the concrete was coming off, empty spaces called voids, and rusting. After the inspection, the City looked at the condition of the concrete around the anchorages and came up with ways to fix the bridge. The chosen solution was to add extra steel supports to the anchorages.

The new steel supports, made in 2022 and finished in May 2023, make the bridge stronger and safer.

Schedule

Construction activities for Sabo bridge started on May 15, 2023. Currently the project is substantially complete. It was completed in September 2023.

View interactive map

Traffic Impacts

Beginning October 2023, there are not expected traffic impacts. Hiawatha Ave S (TH 55) is fully opened all directions.

Project current status

Previous work

In August, the following construction operations were performed:

• Concrete barriers called J barriers were placed on pavement and closed one north bound lane and the shoulder on Hiawatha Ave S
• Setting up temporary steel structures on the bridge- anchorage 2, 3 and 4
• Drilling and installing permanent supports for anchorage 2, 3 and 4
• Load transfer to the floor beams - anchorages 2,3 and 4
• Grouting operations - anchorages 2,3 and 4
• Painting underneath of the bridge deck

The Hiawatha traffic was alternately reduced to one or 2 lanes. Proper traffic control (as per MNDOT rules) was installed on the roadway.

Coming up