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Current Construction News - Updated August 6, 2008

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August 6, 2008

Closures

What:Two lanes on the 7th Street Bridge
When:Thursday August 7th - from noon to 3pm
Why:To allow for pouring concrete at the curb walls for the team store
NOTE:One lane of through traffic will remain open, but the sidewalk will close to pedestrians.

OPENING?????Many have asked so here's the NEWS - Should things fall into place for both contractors the 5th Street Bridge could not will open to pedestrain traffic by mid-August. We will keep you posted, Thank You, for your continued patience.

Motorists, bicylists, and pedestrians are encouraged to drive, ride and walk carefully, expect delays, and allow extra time to reach destinations.

Questions? Contact Chuck Ballentine, Deputy Ballpark Office Coordinator, at
612-543-7274 or chuck.ballentine@co.hennepin.mn.us

Read this and more on the Ballpark Website at http://www.ballparkauthority.com/ and the Northstar Website at http://www.northstartrain.com/

Past Construction Updates

July 24, 2008

Closures:

What: Two lanes at the east end of the 7th Street Bridge (by 3rd Avenue intersection).
When: Friday July 25th and Monday July 28th - from 5am to 3pm each day.
Why: Team Store concrete slab construction.
NOTE: One lane of through traffic will remain open, but the sidewalk will close to pedestrians.

July 22, 2008

The Ramp B access from 2nd Avenue into the 5th Street entrance will be closed for approximately one week.

Click here for detour map and directions.

July 10, 2008

Closures: Ballpark construction requires closing two lanes at the west end of the 7th Street bridge to allow for a concrete pour for the terrace level of the Ballpark on the 1st base side. There will be a concrete pump as well as numerous trucks.

This closure begins Friday July 11th at 3am until noon on July 11th. One lane of through traffic will remain open but the 7th Street bridge sidewalk will close to pedestrains.

June 30, 2008

Closure - July 1st, at 10pm to July 2nd, at 5am: This closes the Washington Ave. and 4th Street exits on Eastbound 394. Ramp entries and both the 6th Street and 12th Street extits off 394 will remain open.

Closure - July 2nd, at 10pm to July 3rd, at 5am: This closes the Washington Ave., 4th Street, and 6th Street exits on Eastbound 394. The B Ramp Entrance off of 394 will also be closed.

June 9, 2008

7th Street Bridge: On June 12th, from 1am to noon, Mortenson will close two lanes on the 7th Street bridge as well as the sidewalk for concrete pours. If it's raining, the concrete pour will happen on June 13th. Pedestrains can go to the 10th Street sidewalk or way over to the 3rd Street sidewalk. Remember, the 5th Street bridge sidewalk will remain closed for the next four weeks.

7th Street Bridge revisited: Beginning Tuesday June 17th through Fiday June 20th the bridge area considered the north trunk will be closed. This closure is to allow for the set up of the steel structure of the Ballpark "Team Store"

A crane will be mobilized at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 7th Street. During the closure times the crane will be lifting material and equipment onto the decks. Trucks will be coming and going and the crane will unload the trucks.
The crane will remain at this location for the duration of the work occupying and affecting the sidewalk on the north side of 7th Street.
Highway Technologies will customize traffic signs that address this, and signage/barricades will be utilized both during crane opertation and crane idle times.
The closure's duration/time will begin at 6am and end by 3pm for the evening rush hour out of downtown.
The contractor requests a 4 day partial closure, but the work could possibly be completed in as little as 2 days.
10th Street and 3rd Street are the sidewalk alternatives for pedestrains.

June 3, 2008

5th Street Bridge Sidewalk Closure:

Change in start date.
Monday, June 9th for up to 5 weeks
As alternatives, pedestrains can cross the freeway using the skyways from Ramps A, B, or C, depending upon destination.

May 13, 2008
Changed Nighttime Closures

5/15/08 (10pm - 5am) - Ames will not need the night closure of the Eastbound 394, 6th Street off ramp.

5/15/08 (10pm - 5am) - The contractor will continue setting the remaining beams for the Plaza Bridge. This means closure of the Eastbound 394 6th Street off ramp, and the potential necking of 2nd Avenue North to one lane.

5/16/08 (10pm - 5am) - This closure is cancelled.

May 9, 2008

Daytime Clousures:

5/12/08 (10am - 3pm) - As part of the Pedestrian Plaza Bridges work, the contractor will install lights under the bridges. This means a daytime closure of the Eastbound 394, Washington Avenue off ramp.
5/13/08 (10am - 3:30pm) - The contractor will set some of the remaining beams for the Plaza Bridge. This means closure of the Eastbound 394, 6th Street off ramp.
5/14/08 (10am - 3:30pm) - The contractor will set some of the remaining beams for the Plaza Bridge. This means closure of the Eastbound 394, 6th Street off ramp.
Please Note: During the daytime clousures the contractor may also reconfigure 2nd Avenue North to two lanes.

Nighttime Clousures:

5/14/08 (10pm - 5am) - The contractor will set the remaining beams for the Plaza Bridge. This means closure of the Eastbound 394 6th Street off ramp, and the potential necking of 2nd Avenue North to one lane.
5/15/08 (10pm - 5am) - The contractor will continue setting the remaining beams for the Plaza Bridge. This means closure of the Eastbound 394 6th Street off ramp, and the potential necking of 2nd Avenue North to one lane.
5/16/08 (10pm - 5am) - The contractor will finish setting beams for the Plaza Bridge. This means closure of the Eastbound 394 6th Street off ramp, and the potential necking of 2nd Avenue North to one lane.

May 8, 2008

7th Street Bridge- Mortenson will do two concrete pours for the different levels of the ballpark in the next several days. These pours will happen on May 9th from 6am to 10am and on May 13th from 3am to 12 noon. The concrete pumping truck and the concrete delivery trucks require the closure of the two vehicle lanes closest to the ballpark as well as the sidewalk.

Preview of other clousures: Pedestrain bridge construction activities will result in a series of closures to I-394 exit and entrances ramps the week of May 12th.

Northstar Commuter Rail Project Update - May 8th, 2008

Week of May 12th, 2008- The Northstar Project will be removing and reconstructing sections of the 5th Street North, 1st Avenue, and 2nd Avenue. Installation and welding of light rail track segments will also be taking place.

Traffic Impacts:

At least one lane of westbound traffic will be maintained at all times on 5th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues.
Two lanes of northbound traffic will be maintained at all times through the 2nd Avenue and 5th Street intersection
The Northstar Project and its contractor will provide temporary pedestrain access to all affected 5th Street businesses.
Parking Meters on 5th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues will be removed for Northstar construction.

April 18, 2008

Eastbound 394 Closure: The Pedestrian Bridge contractor will shut down eastbound 394 for the dates listed below. This clousure would shut down the Washington Avenue and 4th Street exits. However, access to 6th Street will be maintained.

From Friday, April 25th starting at 8pm through Sunday, April 27th ending at 6am to erect girders. The contractor has requested an earlier start time that has not yet been granted.
From Thursday, May 8th starting at 10pm through Friday, May 9th ending at 5am for pouring the last two sections for the pedestrian bridge piece connecting to 6th Street.

Closing the 394 6th Street Exit: The contractor plans to shut down the 6th Street exit form eastbound 394 next week. This closure will happen in conjunction with shutting down 2nd Avenue to one lane from Tuesday, April 22nd starting at 10pm through Thursday, April 24th ending at 5am. The contractor will construct a transfer beam. This closure is similar to the one on April 11th.

The Pedestrian Access Restored on the 5th Street Bridge: Pedestrian access to the 5th Street North Bridge over the BNSF train tracks has been restored. A fence will be installed to separated pedestrains from heavy equipment and construction activities on the bridge and intersection of 5th Street North and 5th Avenue North. HEADS UP and EYES OPEN!!! The intersection, in particular, will have cranes, trucks, rebar, cement forms, and cement moving around at various times.

The Northstar and Ballpark Projects have agreed to maintain pedestrian access until some point in June, when a portion of the 5th Street sidewalk is reconstructed. Pedestrian access will close briefly for this work. Look to future Ballpark and Northstar Project updates for the latest pedestrian and traffic impact information. The current construction schedule has the 5th Street bridge openin to vehicular traffic by June 25th.

April 9, 2008

Eastbound 394 6th Street Off-Ramp Closure: Ames, the pedestrian Plaza/Bridge contractor, will close the 394 6th Street Off-ramp tomorrow evening, 4/10/08, at 10pm and open it by 5am on 4/11/08. There will be a law officer on duty to assist with traffic control. The contractor will set temporary supports for one of the pedestrian bridge columns. Additionally, the contractor will intermittently limit 2nd Avenue North traffic to 1 lane throughout the aforementioned hours.

Ramp B entrance off 394: Please note that the above action also closes the Ramp B entrance off 394 during the same times mentioned above.

April 7, 2008

Westbound 394 Closed: Ames, the Pedestrian Plaza/Bridge contractor, will remove material used for the pedestrian bridge on Friday, April 11th starting at 10pm and reopening on April 12th by 6pm.

The 3rd Street and Washington Avenue entrances will close. During this closure, motorists can get on 394 by going to: the on ramp off 3rd Avenue by 10th Street; the on ramp at the end of 1st Avenue/Hawthorne Avenue; or the on ramp by Dunwoody.

5th Street Bridge Pedestrian Closure: The Northstar Commuter Ramp Project contractor asked for and received permission form the City of Minneapolis to close the sidwalk on the 5th Street Bridge. This closure happens April 8th in the morning. This closure will speed the construction of the Hiawatha Light Rail extension. The bridge has a tenative reopening date of June 25th to both pedestrains and vehicles. We'll keep you up to date as the work progresses.

April 4, 2008

Eastbound and Westbound 394 Closed: Ames, the Pedestrian Plaza/Bridge contractor will set yet another group of beams on Friday April 4th starting at 6pm and reopening on April 5th by 6pm.

The 4th Street and Washington Avenue exits will be closed. During this closure, motorists will be able to exit on 6th Street as well as enter Ramp B. Motorists can also exit at 12th Street to get downtown.

To get on 394 use:

the on ramp off 3rd Avenue and 10th Street
the on ramp at the end of 1st Avenue/Hawthorne Avenue
the on ramp by Dunwoody

March 25, 2008

Eastbound 394 Closed: Ames, the Pedestrian Plaza/Bridge Contractor will set yet another group of beams for the pedestrian bridge. To keep motorists safe, eastbound 394 will close from 9pm Wednesday, March 26th. (Note: this is an hour earlier than previously schduled) You will need to exit at 12th Street to get into downtown. 6th Street and 4th Street, and Washington Avenue exits will all be closed.

For additional bridge work, 394 will also close both inbound and outbound on Friday April 4th, at 6pm and reopen on April 5th at 6pm. During this closure, motorists will be able to exit on 6th Street as well as enter B Ramp. The exit from the B Ramp to 394 will also be closed.

March 20, 2008

Eastbound 394 Closed: Ames, the Pedestrian Plaza/Bridge Contractor will set the next group of beams for the pedestrian bridge. To keep motorists safe, eastbound 394 will close from 10pm March 21, 2008 to approximately 4pm on March 22, 2008. You will need to exit at 12th Street to get downtown. 6th Street, 4th Street and Washington Avenue exits will be closed. The restored access will accommodate fans for the Timberwolves game on March 22, 2008 in the evening. Eastbound 394 will also close on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, from 10pm to 5am.

Pile Driving: While getting close to completion, it's not done yet. Atlas Foundation will drive piles to support the new commuter rail platform and station in Span 5 (second span east of the Ford building) under the 5th Street bridge from March 26, 2008 to approximately April 16, 2008. The pounding will happen between 7am to 4pm, Monday-Friday.

The balance of the pile driving will occur in the northeast portion of the ballpark throughout the next two weeks, with roughly the same hours described above. These piles will support a retaining wall along the side of the ballpark closest to downtown.

March 7, 2008 - Update to March 4th posting:

Ames got an early start on the March 10/11 work. Starting March 7, 2008 6th Street N will narrow to two lanes for approximately 2 weeks. After the two week period a concrete pillar will permanently block one lane of 6th Street N. just past the intersection. The curb lane will be restored once construction is completed.

March 4, 2008

Ames, the Pedestrian Plaza/Bridge Contractor, will do the first concrete pour on the section closest to the 7th Street Bridge from 6am to 3pm on March 4th.

The contractor will set up a cement pumping truck by the 7th Street Bridge and cement trucks will deliver concrete to the pumper. This activity requires that the two lanes closest to the Ballpark shutdown on the 7th Street bridge during that time. This closure will also close down the sidewalk to pedestrians.

Next week

On Monday and Tuesday (3/10,3/11) 6th Street will narrow to two lanes form 9am to 3pm. This narrowing will allow the contractor to place piles to support the pedestrain bridge as it crosses 2nd Avenue North.

Ballpark Area Construction Update

February 22, 2008

Ballpark I-394 Closure Schedule

February 23 - The Ballpark Pedestrian Bridge contractor will close the outbound I-394 from 3rd Street and Washington Avenue

February 23 - Northstar Project construction crews will begin setting beams on the 5th Street North Bridge over I-394. Traffic impacts: 4th Street exit and Washington Avenue exit on eastbound I-394 will be closed. Drivers will be directed to use the 6th Street exit. There will also be a left lane closure on 3rd Avenue North, just north of 5th Street for truck staging. No street parking will be allowed in that area of 3rd Avenue N.

February 25 - Northstar Project construction crews will intermittently be stopping traffic for 10 to 15 minute intervals on Westbound I-394 traffic from 3rd Street and Washington Avenue. Drivers should expect delays. The truck staging area and parking restriction listed above will also be in effect.

February 26 - The truck staging area and parking restrictions will remain in place if needed. Some traffic stoppages may occur at 5th Street N. and 3rd Avenue N.

Note: Drivers should plan on using other I-394 entrance ramps i.e. 10th Street and 3rd Avenue N., at the end of 1st Avenue N. and by Dunwoody. Plan on using the 6th Street exit to get off of I-394

February 14, 2008

A quick reminder: The contractor will set beams on top of all those columns you've seen growing out of the ground. The beams will hold up the deck on which people will walk to the ballpark. This work will require closure of the west bound I-394 Ramp from both 3rd Street and Washington Avenue entrances.

Closures will happen: Thursday, 2/14 10pm to 5am and Friday, 2/15 11pm to 3pm(Saturday 2/16)

Plan on using the other I-394 entrance ramps: 10th Street and 3rd Avenue North; at the end of 1st Avenue North; and by Dunwoody.

3rd Avenue North Storm Sewer Work starting the two final locations of the storm work on 3rd Avenue North:

Sanitary repair in front fo the Ramp C, 4th Street Garage
Storm water catch basin near the Sound Bar Night Club

This work will affect one traffic lane and some parking on the west side of the street. The contractor will work to minimize the distruption to the businesses. The work will take approximately two weeks including concrete setting to fully restore both areas.

February 4, 2008

Two eastern lanes of 3rd Ave. North from Washington Avenue to 5th Street are scheduled to reopen February 5th.
The January 28th concrete pour to close up sewer work on 3rd Avenue is expected to cure in 7 days. The far west lane of 3rd Avenue may be closed after February 5th for further strategic work.
Ballpark related work for 3rd Avenue North will include utility installations by Xcel, Qwest, and Center Point in 2008.
A rebuild of the street by the City of Minneapolis in 2009 will make it more pedestrian friendly.
The Minnesota Ballpark Authority, Hennepin County Ballpark Project Office, City of Minneapolis, and Minnesota Twins, with cooperation from the utility companies, will work to increase efficiancy, keep costs down, and lessen the impact on businesses along 3rd Avenue North.

January 14, 2008

Here are several upcoming construction projects and when the project could cause disruptions. In short, if you're around the intersection of 2nd Avenue North and 6th Street, Heads Up!

Upcoming Work:

Construction of bridge pier 3 at 2nd Avenue North/6th Street

Proposed Work Dates - January 21, 2008 through February 15, 2008

Construction of bridge piers 2A/2B at 2nd Avenue North/6th Street

Proposed Work Dates - February 4, 2008 through February 27, 2008

Constructon of bridge piers 1A/2C at 2nd Avenue North/6th Street

Proposed Work Dates - February 18, 2008 through March 12, 2008

Construction of bridge pier 1 at 2nd Avenue North/6th Street

Proposed Work Dates - February 25, 2008 through March 15, 2008

December 28, 2007

Beware 2nd & 6th this weekend: The City of Minneapolis and the Ballpark Sewer contractor will work in this intersection over this weekend. The intersection will not close entirely but traffic lanes will be constricted. Heads Up!

December 26, 2007

The 5th Street bridge and associated sidewalk adjacent to the Ford Center will open for pedestrian traffic by Monday, January 7, 2008.
Pile driving operations will have started again in the northwest corner of the ballpark next to the Ford Center. This activity will continue until approximately the end of January
Additionally, there are 25 piles under the 5th Street bridge that will be driven in mid-late spring.
The contractor on the sewer work in 3rd Avenue continues to find abandoned electrical cables that require mitigation from Xcel Energy. This work is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

Twins Ballpark Construction Alert - December 3, 2007

Emerency Event Simulation Scheduled for December 7th

Involves responding to seriously injured worker; expect sirens and activity form emergency personnel, ambulance and fire vehicles.

Impact of Sewer Work on Lane Closures

Lane closures while working on 2nd Ave. between 6th St. and 7th St.:

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - 1 lane open
6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (rush hour) - 2 lanes open
All lanes are to remain open whenever no work is occurring.

Intersection of 2nd Ave. & 6th St. / I-394 & 2nd Ave.

Closes - Friday, December 7, 8:00 p.m.
Reopens - Monday, December 10, 6:00 a.m.

Weekend Impact

MTC buses rerouted
No public traffic on 2nd Ave. between 7th & 5th St.
I-394 off ramp closed
Watch for the signs on I-394. Call if you have questions.

Fifth Street Bridge

Pedestrian traffic anticipated for mid-December on Washington Ave. Two lane traffic to be restored Spring 2008.

Construction News - Updated November 30, 2007

6th Street Pedestrian Bridge/Plaza Construction

January 2 - April 16	East bound I-394 bus ramp closure
January 15 - May 1	2nd Avenue and 6th Street ramp interference
February 1 - May 17	Pier construction 2nd Ave & 6th St
March 1	Center median work complete
February 15 to May	Intermittent beam installations for bridges over I-394

Underground Utility Work at 2nd Avenue and 6th Street

From November 19 to December 31, one traffic lane and one bus lane will remain open on 2nd Avenue, and one lane will remain open on 6th Street.

3rd Avenue North Storm Sewer

The contractor has encountered rubble, debris, and multiple utility conduits, some still live, causing further inconveniences to businesses on 3rd Avenue.

Light Rail Transit (LRT) Connection

One lane of eastbound traffic will be maintained on the north side of the bridge during demolition and reconstruction.

Lane restrictions on I-394 will take place some weekends and non-peak hours:

Inbound (eastbound) M-F 10:00AM – 4:00 PM / 8:00 PM – 6:00 AM
Outbound (westbound) M-F 9:00AM – 2:00 PM / 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM