Washington Avenue Bridge

Washington Avenue Bridge is a double-deck steel structure spanning the Mississippi River and connecting the University of Minnesota campus. The upper level serves pedestrians and cyclists, while the lower deck carries cars and the light rail system across the water.

It was built in 1965 to replace an iron truss bridge from 1884 that once carried the first streetcar line between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The earlier bridge served for over 70 years before the new structure took over to meet the growing campus traffic.

The bridge serves as the main connector across campus for the University of Minnesota, bringing students and staff between the two riverbanks every day. People use it not only to cross but also to gather, study, and take in views of the river as part of their daily routine.

The upper deck has dedicated bicycle lanes on the north side for safe cycling, while pedestrians can use the entire upper surface. Visitors should know that the lower level is reserved for vehicle and train traffic and is not open to foot traffic.

The structure uses high-strength A441 steel in its construction, a material that was not commonly used for large bridge projects at the time of its building. This special steel allowed the double-deck design to work without making the bridge excessively heavy.

Location: Minneapolis

Inception: 1965

Official opening: 1965

Length: 345 m

GPS coordinates: 44.97310,-93.23930

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52