The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and City of Minneapolis are asking for input from the public on the design and construction of the new I-35W bridge.

The last two of three open houses will be held Thursday, Aug. 30 and Wednesday, Sept. 5 (see full details below). All three meetings are intended to collect input from Minneapolis residents, employers and commuters; and for MnDOT engineers to answer questions of members of the public, according to releases from the city and MnDOT.

Those who cannot attend an open house may also submit comments — or find more information about the bridge reconstruction project, including current design plans, at “MnDOT’s website”: http://www.dot.state.mn.us.

The dates and locations for the open houses are:

Thursday, Aug. 30, 4:30–7 p.m. at the Humphrey Institute Atrium, 301 19th Ave. S. ((West Bank Campus, Cedar-Riverside neighborhood). In line with its push to promote alternative modes of transportation, the city notes that the Humphrey Institute is accessible via the 2, 3, 6, 7, 16, 22, 50, 144 bus routes.

Wednesday, Sept. 5. 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., at the IDS Center Crystal Court, 80 South 8th St. (Downtown Minneapolis). The IDS Center is accessible via the 5, 8, 10, 17, 18, 22, and MOA 180 Express bus routes, and it is 3 blocks south of the Hiawatha Light Rail line’s Nicollet Mall station.

Finally, members of the public can play a part in the city’s consent of the bridge reconstruction by commenting at a public hearing on Sept. 20, part of the official Municipal Consent meeting at Thrivent Financial Center, 625 4th Ave S. The City Council’s Transportation and Public Works committees will receive the public comment.

last revised: August 31, 2007

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