Hastings bridge reduced to one lane

Hastings bridge
The Hastings bridge, despite low ratings for its structure, is the busiest two-lane highway bridge in Minnesota, carrying 32,000 vehicles a day.
MPR Photo/Tom Weber

Traffic on the bridge will be reduced to one lane starting tonight at 10 p.m.

The lane reduction will be in place 24 hours per-day, seven days a week as crews perform maintenance work and paint the bridge. MnDOT said traffic delays could be significant.

About 32,000 cars cross the Hastings bridge every day.

State transportation officials say there will be alternating traffic until mid-July, instead of all summer since the state announced plans to replace the bridge in 2010.

As a result, MnDOT decided to reduce the amount of maintenance and painting work scheduled for this year. Officials said they're doing the most necessary work to keep the bridge safe and in good repair until it's replaced.