Today I was biking to work and this path takes me through the University of Minnesota West Bank to East Bank. Both the pedestrian only path and the pedestrian and bike path shared side were blocked off with (not really sure what to call them) road block things. So basically you have to take the middle covered bridge area if you want to cross. I was pretty puzzled and this was up on my way home from work as well. They didn't really have any explanation up beyond a sign that said "Path is closed, bike and pedestrian traffic please use covered center area to cross" or something to that effect.

As it turns out I guess there are safety concerns over the structural integrity of the bridge itself as I just saw this posted on the Star Tribune.

Concerns about the strength of the pedestrian portion of the Washington Avenue bridge -- the distinctive double-decked span over the Mississippi River that connects the East and West Banks of the University of Minnesota campus -- have prompted Hennepin County to limit where bikes and pedestrians are allowed on the bridge's upper level.
...
Hennepin County, the bridge's owner, had previously earmarked $400,000 for repairs to the pedestrian level. In preparation for that work, engineers determined Thursday that the weight should be moved to the center of the bridge.

"There are columns in the middle," said Hennepin County Assistant Administrator for Public Works Marthand Nookala. "Once we put the braces on, we'll reopen the bridge."

Hennepin County commissioner Peter McLaughlin said the project is scheduled to be completed by late spring or early summer 2009. However, he hopes the project can be accelerated.

The decision to limit upper deck traffic to a small area concerns U officials as they prepare for the beginning of the school year. If construction lasts until spring, the university will have limited bridge access for pedestrians and bicyclists for most of an academic year.

So as I read this it says that they need to put on braces and the bike lanes will reopen...BUT, as they work on the bridge for the upcoming months sides will probably end up being closed again. So yeah, I can see this turning into a bit of a commuter nightmare especially now that school is starting up again and traffic on both bikes and feet will be up a ton.

http://www.startribune.com/local/273012 ... LanchO7DiU

Although if it means that the paths won't be opened for months and only the center area can be used...that will suck a lot.

Already being discussed here.