BRIDGE REPAIR: MnDOT approves Winona bridge rehab project

Work will soon begin on rehabilitating a historic bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Winona, Minn.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has approved the second-to-last work package for the bridge for $38.9 million.

Ames Construction was awarded the contract. MnDOT said the contract will cover rehabilitation work on the bridge and removing the approach spans.

Traffic is scheduled to shift entirely to the new bridge crossing the Mississippi, which opened last month, early in the coming week, when crews close the old bridge to begin rehabilitation.

Once the renovation begins, the work will continue until the fall of 2019 or spring 2020.