Just how long has John Hofstede lived in Northeast Minneapolis?
“Total, minus two years in Germany, 80 years.”
He was born, raised and still lives on California Street, just a stones throw from the St. Anthony Parkway Bridge. Hofstede recalled frigid winters as a kid crossing the bridge with his friends and vividly remembers the electric incandescent lights. The lights would melt the snow and ice, cool, and by the time Hofstede and his friends would head home, well as he exclaimed, “The run back down California Street…oh, it was frozen!”
When talk of a new bridge started, Hofstede, like many Northeasters, was not in favor.
“I thought it was absolute bullshit. In the day and age of all the options we have and equipment we have…” Hofstede thought that the bridge could’ve been saved with welding. Experts did not agree and the bridge is well on its way to being fully replaced.
As of September 1, demolition of the original St. Anthony Parkway Bridge built in 1925 is nearly complete. They will now be shifting the launch girder to the west abutment to remove the final two spans, 4 and 5, of the original truss bridge. Lunda Construction workers stated that it will be at least two more weeks before spans are completely removed.
The new truss, built off-site, will be reconstructed on the west approach of the bridge. Once the new truss is complete they will move it into position using the same technique used to remove the old trusses. The two new concrete piers on the east end are complete.
The embankment along California Street leading to the bridge is also complete. The road will be much wider than the previous road that led to the bridge. Hofstede said it will allow for parking. “They’re going to construct out of the remnants of the [original] bridge an observation point off to the side.” So, although the bridge that stood for decades will be replaced, a portion of the landmark will be repurposed as an interpretive space/plaza. A piece of the past amongst the new.
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