MnDOT Releases Time Lapse Video of New Bridge Building Process

The Minnesota Department of Transportation used a new construction technique to install a new bridge over I-35 in st. Paul this week.

MnDOT says the "slide-in-bridge" construction method had the new bridge built next to the existing bridge, which was then removed to allow for the new span to be slid into place. Hydraulic jacks were used for the process, which involved moving with the 3.5 ton structure 84 feet one inch at a time.

Officials say it cut down the amount of time the bridge was closed to traffic from an estimated 110 days to only 47 days.

Watch the video to see a time lapse view of the process.