by Northern Pacific Bridge 9 is a pedestrian bridge that connects Dinkytown to the University of Minnesota’s west bank campus. It was under construction for most of
The bridge was originally built to carry trains across the Mississippi River. The city converted it into a pedestrian bridge in 1999 after acquiring the bridge 13 years earlier. Since April last year, it’s been closed to the public so that the city could make repairs and safety improvements.
The city made repairs to the bridge’s foundation and re-paved the decks connecting the bridge to the ledges overlooking the Mississippi. Along with these reinforcements, they also made a noticeable change to the bridge’s appearance.
The city installed 10-foot tall railings in an effort to help make the bridge safer for pedestrians to cross. Although it partially blocks the view from the bridge, the “high safety” rails are designed to prevent people from falling off. The railings were also designed for suicide prevention, adhering to a law recently passed by Minnesota legislation.
Carina Heller, a phd student at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, said she was grateful the construction was finished.
“It felt like it took so long for the construction to be finished,” she said. “”Since it reopened, I’ve walked across the bridge every day.”
Nathanael Ashton-Piper, a U-M-N law student, said he didn’t like it aesthetically, but found some of its qualities redeemable.
“Obviously the fence being here isn’t totally ideal for sight lines, but I understand this is the world we live in and this is necessary. But they did a great job of making the fence see through, and it’s in our colors which I like.”
Regardless of how they feel about the bridge’s recent changes, they’re grateful for the safety that these new rails provide.
“I think… for everyone involved, I’ll sacrifice some good views if it means everyone will be safer,” Nathanael said.
And they’re glad to be able to use it again.
