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Council hears update on Rosslyn Park pedestrian bridge; engineers warn unusual design raises estimating challenges
Summary
City engineers and designers presented a draft plan for a timber-clad pedestrian bridge over Highway 62 at Roslyn Park, describing an iconic curved steel-truss structure, potential stairs, and a $6 million project budget; staff said ahead fabrication work and MnDOT review are next steps.
City engineering staff and the architect for the Roslyn Park pedestrian bridge presented council members with updated designs and a project timeline, saying the work will next move into fabrication bids and MnDOT review.
The bridge team described a canted, curved steel truss clad in thermally modified wood slats and a stainless-steel safety mesh intended to screen falling objects from the freeway. “The entire bridge is clad in a in a wood product,” architect Matthew Krilek said, adding the thermally modified wood is expected to weather to a silver tone and require little ongoing maintenance.
Project engineer Ryan Evans of Bolton & Menk flagged structural and fabrication complexities tied to an outward cant and a V-shaped railing. “A big element is the outward cant,” Evans said. He told the council the atypical geometry will create unusual loads and delivery challenges that make accurate cost estimating difficult without engagement from a truss fabricator.
Director Chad Milner and the design team said they plan to solicit a fabricator to validate constructability and refine costs, then return to the council with a refined estimate and plans to proceed with MnDOT’s structural review. Milner said the project team still aims to open bids in early 2026 and complete construction in 2026 if the schedule holds.
Council members asked about stair options, sightlines through the wood slats, and longevity of the timber cladding. Krilek said the team is studying two stair options and expects about 8-inch center spacing for the wood slats, which “is relatively transparent” while still providing screening. He said isolated slats might need replacement over many decades but that the cladding should last “close to the longevity of the bridge itself.”
The designers said an archetypal overlook on the park side and an elevated ramp from the neighborhood side would create spaces for pause and photos. Milner noted the design must coordinate with a future MnDOT noise wall and said the city’s $6,000,000 budget is the target to stay within as designs are refined.
The council provided general direction to continue fabricator outreach, keep MnDOT involvement on the structural details, and return with updated cost and schedule information when those vendor conversations are complete.
