Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Mississippi River Crossing
Minneapolis, MN

Third Avenue Bridge

• Structure ID: NBI: 2440.
• Location: River Mile 854.10.
• River Elevation: 801 Feet.
• Highway: 3rd Avenue S.
• Daily Traffic Count: 18,500 (2002).
• Bridge Type: Concrete Arch.
• Length: 2,223 Feet, 211 Foot Longest Span.
• Width: 4 Traffic Lanes, 78 Feet.
• Navigation Channel Width: 150 Feet.
• Height Above Water: 42 Feet.
• Date Built: Opened June 13, 1918, Reopened November 1980.
Claim to fame: longest S-curve concrete arch bridge in the world.

This huge bridge carries Third Avenue south, and connects to Central Avenue on the north end of the bridge. This bridge was marked MN-65 until the mid-2000s. The view of downtown Minneapolis when traveling southbound is breathtaking, especially at night. An equally stunning view of the bridge can be seen from Water Power Park near the Hennepin Island power station.

This bridge was rebuilt in 1980, which included replacement of everything above the arches.


Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge

Home  Return To Twin Cities Metro Area Mississippi River Structures Home Page
Photo and text by John A. Weeks III, Copyright © 2005, all rights reserved.
For further information, contact: john@johnweeks.com