MnDOT to host public open house Jan. 27 for Veteran’s Memorial Bridge project
Closure of Veteran’s Memorial Bridge begins Feb. 3
MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the public to attend a construction open house on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Blue Earth County Library (100 E. Main Street, Mankato), to learn about the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge and Highway 169/Belgrade Avenue Interchange project.
There will be no formal presentation, and people are welcome to stop by at their convenience during the open house. Staff from MnDOT and the contractor will be available to answer questions about the bridge and roadway project, construction timelines, and detour routes.
The project includes significant repairs to Veteran’s Memorial Bridge and improvements to the Belgrade Avenue Bridge over Highway 169 connecting the cities of North Mankato and Mankato. Additionally, interchange ramp signals will be replaced, ramp configuration will be modified, and sidewalks will be replaced.
Preliminary tree clearing near the southbound entrance ramp to Highway 169 is expected to begin Jan. 26 with minimal traffic impacts. The Veteran’s Memorial Bridge is expected to close Feb. 3 with traffic detoured until late 2026, weather permitting. Visit the project website for detour information. Final construction wrap-up work is expected in 2027 without additional detours.
Ames Construction, Inc. was awarded the project with a bid of $21,273,398.92.
North Mankato will also reconstruct Belgrade Avenue from just west of Range Street to Nicollet Avenue beginning in April 2026 through July, weather permitting. That work will occur concurrently with the bridge and interchange project. Visit the North Mankato Belgrade Avenue reconstruction project website for more information on the project.
Stay connected
- Visit the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge and Highway 169/Belgrade Interchange project website for more information and to sign up for email updates.
MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at adarequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.
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