Hiawatha Ave., LRT Remain Closed Until Further Notice
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Light-rail service on Hiawatha will remain closed for three stations, as crews work to repair the Sabo Bridge.
Metro Transit announced the closure will continue through Wednesday -- and until further notice -- with replacement bus service running at the Franklin Avenue, Lake Street/Midtown and 38th Street stations. Highway 55 will also remain closed from 26th Street East to Lake Street.
The rail service has been disrupted since Monday, when a cable connection broke on the Sabo Bridge over the Hiawatha light-rail line and Highway 55. The timetable for when the work on the bridge will be completed has not been determined.
The Hiawatha line continues to operate normally between Target Field and Franklin Avenue and also at Mall of America and 38th Street.
Customers are advised to expect delays and check the Metro Transit website for the latest updates.
City engineers began consulting with the Sabo Bridge's original designers on Tuesday to start formulating a plan to repair the bridge.
The bridge closed Monday after the cable connection broke on the bridge's mast, causing a pair of suspension cables to break loose. The connection for a second pair of cables was also found to be compromised, and even though they're still in place, work must be done to avoid further damage.
The bridge includes 18 cables on each side of the bridge.
A release from the city states, "It is impossible to tell at this time, early in the response, how long the light rail and street closures will continue, however, a priority is to restore light rail service. The Sabo Bridge itself will remain closed until repair work is completed."
