Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge

Weekend Closure of I-94 in Saint Paul - January 16-18

Starting Friday, January 16 at 11 p.m. through Sunday, January 18 at 9 a.m., MnDOT will temporarily close Interstate 94 through the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood in Saint Paul. The posted I-94 detours will be 694 to 35E. The freeway closure is necessary to allow city contractors to deliver and set beams over I-94 for the new Kellogg-3rd Street Bridge.  

The hard closure of I-94 will be at Hwy 61 for westbound traffic and Hwy 52 for eastbound traffic. Access to local streets, including Etna Street and Wilson Avenue will be prohibited and all westbound I-94 traffic will be routed southbound on Hwy 61. The exits to Burns Avenue will also be closed to reduce cut-through traffic on local streets.  

To access downtown Saint Paul from the east metro, take Hwy 61 south to Warner/Shepard Road. 

To access local Eastside Saint Paul streets from the east metro, exit on White Bear Avenue.

Detour Map for I-94 Closure

Local and downtown access map during I-94 Closure

Tuesday, December 9 - Wednesday, December 10, Upper Commercial Street will be closed.

• The closure is needed to remove formwork from a pier adjacent to the road. To access Wakan Tipi and businesses on Lower Commercial Street, use 4th Street (from the west).

Ongoing Project Work

• Watch a short video update on the Kellogg-3rd Street bridge construction.
• Pile driving is completed.
• Beam deliveries and setting of beams continues.
  • I-94 closure is needed to set beams over the highway. Expected to occur in early 2026, exact dates to be determined.
• Ongoing forming and pouring of concrete.

For more information, see the project webpage stpaul.gov/kellogg-3.​

• Watch a short video update on the Kellogg-3rd Street bridge construction.
• Pile driving operations at east abutment (near Mounds Boulevard) were completed on Wednesday, October 29.
• Pile driving for retaining walls west of the bridge (near Lafayette Street) have begun and will continue into December.
• Beam deliveries and setting of beams continues.
  • I-94 closure is needed to set beams over the highway. Expected to occur in early 2026, exact dates to be determined.
• Ongoing forming and pouring of concrete.
  • Monday, November 21 - Wednesday, November 26, Upper Commercial Street will be closed. The closure is needed to construct a pier next to the road. To access Wakan Tipi and businesses on Lower Commercial Street, use 4th Street (from the west).

• Watch a short video update on the Kellogg-3rd Street bridge construction.
• Pile driving operations were completed on Wednesday, October 29.
  • Photo above shows the pipe piles in the ground.
• Beam deliveries and setting of beams continues.
  • I-94 closure needed to set beams over the highway. Dates to be determined.
• Ongoing forming and pouring of concrete.

Overall Project Updates

• Project is 40% complete:​
  • Kellogg Boulevard (Broadway to Lafayette) was rebuilt in Fall 2024
  • Bridge work continues (Lafayette to Mounds) ​
    • Demolition completed Summer 2025​
    • Foundations and Bridge Supports are ~75% complete​
    • Beam deliveries start on Tuesday, August 19​
    • Decking, railings and lighting will be constructed in 2026​
    • Final project completion in Summer 2027​

​Upcoming Construction Work and Impacts​

1. Tuesday, August 19 beam deliveries will start
   • Beams will be delivered via I-94 to Kellogg Boulevard (see map #1 below)
   • Beam deliveries will result in very short-term traffic impacts, including a ~5-minute closure of Kellogg Boulevard between 7th Street and Market Street in front of Xcel/RiverCentre
   • ​88 beams will be delivered from August through September
2. Work at the East Abutment near Mound Boulevard is scheduled to start around Labor Day (see map #2 below)
   • Work will produce noise and vibrations
   • Noise will be limited to the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
   • Vibrations will be monitored to prevent damage to roads, houses, and nearby infrastructure
   • Traffic lanes will be reduced on eastbound Mounds Boulevard

What happened in February, March and April?

• The general contractor, Lunda Construction, remained busy on site throughout the winter months with bridge work.
• A temporary steel wall was constructed along Mounds Boulevard to support the road during reconstruction of the east bridge abutment and freeway retaining walls.
• The east bridge abutment was demolished and removed.
• Remaining bridge piers were removed and footings and foundations were built at numerous new pier locations.
• The first new concrete pier stems (columns) were formed and poured in the area of Wakan Tipi and Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary.  

What will happen in May?

• Bridge pier construction will continue throughout the site.  On average, three major concrete pours are occurring weekly.  As vertical stems rise from the ground and horizontal pier caps are poured on top to support beams, the appearance of a new bridge will quickly take shape.
• Minor road work will occur on Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street, including sidewalk and boulevards.  Closures are not expected.
• Bridge demolition will conclude with the removal of freeway retaining walls near Mounds Boulevard.  Lane closures will remain in place through 2025. 

• A temporary steel wall is being installed along Mounds Boulevard to support the road during reconstruction of the east bridge abutment and freeway retaining walls.
  • Temporary barrier will be installed on the shoulder of Interstate 94 for safety between freeway traffic and bridge construction crews. There may be short-term lane closures on Interstate 94, subject to approval by MnDOT.
  • Mounds Boulevard will continue to remain open during this work. Southbound will continue to be reduced to one lane before and through the intersection with 3rd Street East.
  • After the temporary wall and barrier is installed, the east bridge abutment will be removed.  Concrete debris will be hauled away in late February.  Hauling will occur overnight on Interstate 94 in late February, and is not anticipated to generate significant noise.
  • Bridge work along Mounds Boulevard will continue through 2025.
• New bridge pier construction continues within the Bruce Vento Sanctuary area.
  • One new pier foundation and footing is complete.
  • The new bridge has a total of 14 supports (piers and abutments).

• A temporary steel wall will be installed along Mounds Boulevard to support the road during reconstruction of the east bridge abutment and freeway retaining walls. This work is scheduled to start the week of January 20, weather permitting, and will take up to three weeks to complete.
  • Mounds Boulevard will continue to remain open during this work. Southbound will continue to be reduced to one lane before and through the intersection with 3rd Street East.
  • Bridge work along Mounds Boulevard will continue through 2025.
• All the old bridge beams and deck are completely removed.
• Remaining bridge piers will be removed this month.
• New bridge pier construction continues within the Bruce Vento Sanctuary area.
  • One new pier foundation and footing is complete.
  • The new bridge has a total of 14 supports (piers and abutments).

Starting today, updates on the Kellogg-3rd Street bridge project will NOT be posted weekly. Updates will be posted as needed to share major construction milestones and any changes in traffic access and patterns.

During the winter month, deconstruction of the bridge will continue. Additional construction activities will include work on the abutment at Mounds Boulevard, installation of bridge foundations and piers.

• Thank you for your patience during the closure of I-94.
• The deconstruction of the bridge over I-94 was successfully completed.
• Bridge deconstruction continues.

• Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street has reopened to traffic and access to parking lots and businesses.
• Contractor started driving foundation piles on the east end of the project.
• Bridge demolition continues over the railroad.
• Starting December 2, southbound Mounds Boulevard will be reduced to one lane from the I-94 ramp/6th Street to past the closed Kellogg-3rd Street bridge. This lane restriction will be in place for approximately one year for bridge abutment removal and construction.
• The demolition of the Kellogg-3rd Street Bridge over Interstate 94 will start on Friday, December 6 at 10 p.m., continue throughout the weekend including overnights, and end on Monday, December 9 at 5 a.m. During this time, Interstate 94 will be closed.

New Sidewalks: No Salt

Please refrain from using salt to remove ice on new concrete installed this year.  Salt will harm newly installed concrete and increase freeze/thaw cycles which can do further damage.

We appreciate your assistance in helping maintain the new sidewalks.

What happened the week of November 11?

• Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street was striped.
• Bridge demolition continued.

What will happen the week of November 18?

• Roadside work will continue in preparation to re-open Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street around November 21.  
• Bridge demolition will continue.
• Southbound Mounds Boulevard will be reduced to one lane from the I-94 ramp/6th Street to past the closed Kellogg-3rd Street bridge. This lane restriction will be in place for approximately one year for bridge abutment removal and construction.

What happened the week of November 4?

• Several subcontractors worked to finish the roadside work on Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street. Work was delayed by the rain.
• Bridge demolition continued.

What will happen the week of November 11?

• Several subcontractors will continue the roadside work, in preparation to re-open Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street around November 21.  Work activities include:
  • Installing lighting and adjusting traffic signals
  • Adding asphalt “wedges” around curbs and utility manholes
  • Placing soil behind curbs and protecting it from erosion
  • Installing road signs and pavement markings.
• Bridge demolition will continue.

What happened the week of October 28?

• Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street was paved.
• Bridge demolition continued over railroads.

What will happen the week of November 4?

• Several subcontractors will work to finish roadside work, in preparation to re-open Kellogg Boulevard around November 15 (between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street).  Work activities include:
  • Installing lighting and adjusting traffic signals
  • Adding asphalt “wedges” around curbs and utility manholes
  • Placing soil behind curbs and protecting it from erosion
  • Installing road signs and pavement markings.

What happened the week of October 21?

• Bridge demolition and roadway work on the west end of the project continued.

What will happen the week of October 28?

• Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street will be paved, weather permitting. See the flyer being dropped off at properties along the roadway for more details.
• Bridge demolition will continue.

What happened the week of October 14?

• Bridge Demolition continued:
  • Excavators continued removing concrete deck, beams and piers, reaching BNSF Railway.
  • Pedestrian access from 4th Street to Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary was re-routed to use Commercial Street.  Follow posted "Park Access" detour signs.  
  • On-street public parking for Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary is available on Lower Commercial Street.

What will happen the week of October 21?

• Bridge demolition will continue over the BNSF/UPRR rail tracks, as permitted by railroads.  Traffic may be stopped for short durations on Lower Commercial Street (next to Wakan Tipi) as beams are picked and placed on the ground for removal.
• Union Depot Lot C driveway will be closed starting October 21 for 3-4 days to pour the concrete driveway. Access to Lot C will be through the Lot D driveway. 

Looking ahead:

• Bituminous roadway surface is scheduled to be laid on the west end of the project during the week of October 28.

What happened the week of October 7?

• On the east end of the project:
  • Excavators continue to remove concrete deck, beams and piers.  
  • Pedestrian access from 4th Street to Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary was re-routed to use Commercial Street.  Follow posted "Park Access" detour signs.  
  • On-street public parking for Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary is available on Lower Commercial Street.
• On the west end of the project: 
  • Removals, subgrade, public sewer utilities are complete.
  • Most concrete curb is placed.

What will happen the week of October 14?

• Bridge demolition will continue.
• Work on the roadway will continue on the west end of the project.

Looking ahead:

• Union Depot Lot C driveway is scheduled to be closed starting October 21 for 3-4 days to pour the concrete driveway. Access to Lot C will be through the Lot D driveway.
• Bituminous roadway surface is scheduled to be laid on the west end of the project during the week of October 28.

What happened the week of September 30?

• On the east end of the project:
  • Excavators removed concrete deck, beams and piers.  
  • Pedestrian access from 4th Street to Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary was re-routed to use Commercial Street.  Follow posted "Park Access" detour signs.  
  • On-street public parking for Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary is available on Lower Commercial Street.
• On the west end of the project:
  • Crews replaced underground storm sewer utilities, placed aggregate road base, and removed pavement between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street.  
  • Private utility companies relocated utilities that are in conflict with the new roadway.

What will happen the week of October 7?

• Bridge demolition will continue.  
• Road crews will complete storm sewer utilities between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street, in preparation for pouring concrete curb and gutter in mid-October.  
• Utility companies will continue to relocate utilities that are in conflict with new concrete curb.

Highlights:

• Demolition of the bridge continues to move west between Commercial Street and railroads.
• Demolition is expected to continue into 2025.
• Expect significant construction noise, including jack hammering, and lots of trucks hauling during the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Road construction on the west end of the project between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street continues.

What happened the week of September 23?

• On the east end of the project, excavators removed concrete deck, beams and piers. 
• On the west end of the project, crews replaced underground storm sewer utilities and removed pavement between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street.

What will happen the week of September 30?

• Demolition crew will remove bridge deck and beams between Commercial Street and railroads.  A new pedestrian access will be established on Commercial Street, to connect 4th Street sidewalk to Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary trails.
• Road crew will continue to replace utilities between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street, and utility companies will relocate utility lines that are in conflict with new concrete curb.

Highlights:

• Demolition of the bridge continues to move west from the area above Commercial Street.
• Demolition is expected to continue into 2025.
• Expect significant construction noise, including jack hammering, and lots of trucks hauling during the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Road construction on the west end of the project between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street continues.

Highlights:

• Demolition of the bridge continues to move west from the area above Commercial Street.
• Demolition is expected to continue into 2025.
• Expect significant construction noise, including jack hammering, and lots of trucks hauling during the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Road construction on the west end of the project between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street continues.

Highlights:

• Lower Commercial Street will be closed to all traffic (pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers) for approximately 1 week starting Monday, September 9.   During the closure, there will be no parking available for Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary.
• Expect significant construction noise, including jack hammering, and lots of trucks hauling during the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

What happened the week of September 3?

• On the east end of the project, excavators hammered down the concrete deck and beams of the existing bridge between Upper and Lower Commercial Streets. 
• On the west end of the project, crews prepared for replacement of underground utilities between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street.  Some previously undocumented utility lines were encountered and identified.

What will happen the week of September 9?

• Demolition crew will remove bridge deck and beams above Lower Commercial Street.  Note restrictions to parking and access.
• Road crew will excavate and replace utilities between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street, including storm sewer main.

Highlights:

• Demolition of the bridge started on Monday, August 26 over Commercial Street.  Demolition work will continue into 2025.
• Lower Commercial Street will be closed to all traffic (pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers) for approximately 1 week starting Monday, September 9.   During the closure, there will be no parking available for Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary.
• Expect significant construction noise, including jack hammering, and lots of trucks hauling during the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

What happened the week of August 26?

• On the east end of the project, excavators hammered down the concrete deck and beams of the existing bridge over Commercial Street.
• On the west end of the project, crews continued to remove road pavement and prepare for replacement of underground utilities between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street. 

What will happen the week of September 2?

• Demolition crew will continue to remove bridge deck and beams adjacent to Commercial Street.
• Road crew will excavate and replace utilities between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street, including storm sewer main.

• Demolition of the bridge is scheduled to start on Monday, August 26 and expected to continue into 2025.
• Demolition will begin on the section of the bridge over Commercial Street, including the parking lot and access to the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and Wakan Tipi construction area.
• Commercial Street will be closed to all traffic (pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers) for approximately 2 weeks.
• During the closure of Commercial Street, the detour route for all modes of transportation will be 7th Street.
• Expect significant construction noise, including jack hammering, and lots of trucks hauling during the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Highlights:

• Demolition of the bridge is scheduled to start on Monday, August 26 and expected to continue into 2025.
• Demolition will begin on the section of the bridge over Commercial Street, including the parking lot and access to the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and Wakan Tipi construction area.
• Commercial Street will be closed to all traffic (pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers) for approximately 2 weeks.
• During the closure of Commercial Street, the detour route for all modes of transportation will be 7th Street.
• Expect significant construction noise, including jack hammering, and lots of trucks hauling during the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Highlights:

• Bridge is closed and detour routes are posted
• Kellogg Boulevard is closed from Broadway to Lafayette
• Buildings, businesses, and parking lots remain accessible
   

What happened the week of August 5?

• Abatement and removal of materials from the bridge

• Installation of site perimeter fencing and erosion control

• Milling of bituminous pavement and re-use of the millings for construction haul roads

  
  

What will happen the week of August 12?

• Concrete pavement and curb removals west of the bridge

• Lighting removals west of the bridge

Highlights:

• Bridge is closed and detour routes are posted
• Kellogg Boulevard is closed from Broadway to Lafayette
• Buildings, businesses, and parking lots remain accessible
   

What happened the week of July 29?

• Mayor Carter hosted a press conference and construction kick-off at the bridge on July 29

• Pre-construction inspections of sewers and buildings

• Removal of barriers, lighting from the bridge

• Installing site perimeter fencing and erosion control

  
  

What will happen the week of August 5?

• Pavement and curb removal west of the bridge

View the final art designs on the railings and pier columns, including the specific locations.

Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge Art Designs

Project timeline has been updated in response to continued coordination with key stakeholders including railroads, utility companies, adjacent property owners, and Metro Transit's Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit project. Road closures and traffic detours will go into effect when bridge replacement work begins in early 2023.  Kellogg Boulevard is expected to be re-opened to traffic in late 2025.  

Numerous local, state, and privately-led projects will happen concurrently with bridge work.  To best manage the bridge contract and mitigate local traffic impacts, City staff will continue to review the project timeline and make adjustments as needed.  

A series of layouts showing final design features will be posted to the project webpage in Summer 2022.  Construction updates will also be provided.

Thanks for viewing the videos about the Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge project and providing your feedback. (See March 3 update for videos)

Read a summary of the feedback received

To stay informed about the Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge project, sign up for project updates in the blue bar at the bottom of the webpage.

Please watch the series of four videos on the Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge reconstruction project. The videos share information about the history of the Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge, proposed layout for the new bridge, proposed layout for Kellogg Boulevard between Broadway Street and Lafayette Street and the aesthetic enhancement opportunities. 

• Video Presentations
  • Part 1 - What is this project and when is it happening?
  • Part 2 - Road and Bridge Layout
  • Part 3 - Roadway Details and Intersection Safety
  • Part 4 - Aesthetic Enhancements
• PowerPoint Slides
  • Part 1 - What is this project and when is it happening?
  • Part 2 - Road and Bridge Layout
  • Part 3 - Roadway Details and Intersection Safety
  • Part 4 - Aesthetic Enhancements
• Public Feedback Form - this survey closed on April 15, 2021

In April 2020, the City gathered initial feedback about the Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge reconstruction project from residents through a survey. Input gathered through the survey as well as the City's responses are available here.

In 2014, a structural analysis of the bridge supports found that traffic cannot be supported on the outer portions of the bridge deck. Traffic was immediately removed from those portions of the bridge. The resulting bridge does not meet the needs of the community and future multi-modal plans (including bus rapid transit between Union Depot and Woodbury).

Yes. Barriers that are placed on the bridge today keep weight off the portions of the bridge that are insufficient, and crews inspect the bridge regularly. Public safety and welfare are our top priority.

The new bridge will have four lanes of traffic (two in each direction) and a barrier separated trail on both sides of the roadway. The trails will each be 12 feet wide, shared by bicycles and pedestrians, and separated from vehicle traffic by a concrete barrier. Intersections near Union Depot and at Mounds Boulevard will be reconstructed to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and vehicles, including bus rapid transit.

Bridge replacement is one of the City’s priorities. The bridge carries around 14,000 vehicles each day, and traffic is not just from local neighborhoods. 

The City secured project funding in 2023. The City is coordinating with partners and utilities to determine the specific construction timeline.

Construction is anticipated to start in summer 2024 and take approximately 3 years.

Traffic Impacts

• Kellogg Boulevard will be closed for approximately three years.
• Vehicles will be directed north to East 7th Street. See included map for details.
• Traffic delays should be expected. 

Pedestrian and Bike Impacts

• Pedestrian and bikes will be directed south on Mounds Boulevard to Commercial Street and 4th Street.

Business Access

• Parking lots, buildings, and Union Depot will remain accessible during construction from Lowertown on the west side of the bridge. 
• Owners and tenants immediately adjacent to the work site will receive separate notices during specific work activities that may affect their property.

See detour map.

Kellogg-Third Street Bridge is the longest city-owned bridge, and this project is the city’s largest undertaking since 1995 when the Wabasha Bridge was constructed over the Mississippi River. Other project complexities include:

• Multiple road crossings, including Interstate 94. 
• Active operation of railroad tracks under the bridge. The track junction is one of the busiest in the Midwest. 
• Commercial Street, under the bridge, must remain open during construction to provide access to critical power and sewer facilities.
• Underground utility tunnels, some exceeding 12 feet in width, require special protection and work methods. 
• The project site is subject to flooding from the Mississippi River. 

No. Private property will not be assessed to pay for the bridge. The project is funded from federal, state, and local sources. 

• I-94 Closure letter - November 2024
• Roadway paving flyer - October 2024
• Construction notice flyer to properties - July 2024
• One-pager with detour map July 2024
• Construction starting notice with QR code to webpage - July 2024
• Letter June 2024
• Flyer May 2024
• Video Presentation, PowerPoint Slides, and Q and A Responses from June 26, 2024 Virtual Meeting
• Video Presentations - Preliminary Design Phase February 2021
  • Part 1 - What is this project and when is it happening?
  • Part 2 - Road and Bridge Layout
  • Part 3 - Roadway Details and Intersection Safety
  • Part 4 - Aesthetic Enhancements
• PowerPoint Slides - Preliminary Design Phase February 2021
  • Part 1 - What is this project and when is it happening?
  • Part 2 - Road and Bridge Layout
  • Part 3 - Roadway Details and Intersection Safety
  • Part 4 - Aesthetic Enhancements

• Construction detour map
• Parking lot and business access map - July -Nov, 20, 2024 - No longer current
• Parking lot access during Saints games map - July-Nov, 20, 2024 - No longer current
• Parking lot access during Farmers' Market map - July-Nov, 20, 2024 - No longer current

Proposed Bridge

• February 2021 Survey Responses Summary
• April 2020 Survey Responses Summary