Hennepin County will begin work on the Washington Avenue Bridge pedestrian deck during the week of March 16, while University of Minnesota students are away on spring break, according to a press release.

However, the press release stated that the project is set to be completed in early May, despite University and County officials stating in a prior Daily article that the project was expected to be completed and reopened to University students by April 1st of this year.

Paul Backer, Project Engineer with Hennepin County’s transportation department, said some of the steel and rubber devices needed in the construction had to be developed by a manufacturer in New York, and it will take longer to ship the parts. Although no information about lane closures on the vehicle level of the bridge was included in the press release, Backer said they are anticipating closing the two inside lanes of the bridge during the week of spring break. A press release will also be released next week detailing further lane closers.

Construction will be completed in two phases: one will add cross bracing to the center roadway columns on the bottom of the bridge deck, and another which will place 56 longitudinal supports to the underside of the pedestrian deck in 14 locations.