Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) -  The construction on the Elton Hills Drive Bridge is nearing completion and the traveling public can expect to use the bridge soon.

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A news release from the City of Rochester said the bridge is expected to reopen to the traveling public the week of August 8th. The new bridge has two travel lanes in each direction and enhanced pedestrian facilities across the bridge, which include seven-foot wide raised sidewalks on both sides of the bridge.

With the opening of the bridge, the lane restrictions that have been in place for the past three years will be removed.

“We want to express our gratitude for the community’s patience and understanding while this important travel corridor was affected over the past several years,” City Engineer Dillon Dombrovski said. “Safety is a top priority and this bridge can now safely support all travel lanes and better serves those crossing the bridge by foot or bike. We look forward to the opening and, again, thank the traveling public for their patience.”

The previous Elton Hills Drive Bridge had structural issues that progressed to the point where action was required by the City. The City said cost estimates for repairs, as well as the age of the bridge, deemed replacement of the bridge as the most economical approach.

The old bridge was demolished and a new bridge was built in its place.

The cost to reconstruct the bridge was $5,003,712. The City received Federal funding in the amount of $1,610,000 and a Local Bridge Replacement Program (LBRP) grant in the amount of $1,000,000. The remainder of the project was funded with Municipal State Aid and local utility funds.

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