Due to the unseasonably warm weather, Hennepin County has decided to get a jump on rebuilding the Lyndale Ave. bridge over Minnehaha Creek, starting on Jan. 17, two weeks ahead of schedule. 

The bridge is built on top of mill ruins and an earlier bridge that spanned the waters, and some may be revealed during the reconstruction. If you spot any, email pictures to the Southwest Minneapolis Patch editor at James.Sanna@Patch.com

In an email to constituents, Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman said that the extra time would help the contractor meet a March 15 deadline to cease work in the creekbed that's intended to reduce the impact on protected species. 

East and West Minnehaha Parkway will remain open to bikes and pedestrians during the reconstruction, except for the portions of the trail that run underneath the bridge.

The county said in a written statement that it will replace any trees or vegetation disturbed by the reconstruction. Meanwhile the Nicollet-East Harriet Business Association said in a statement posted on their website that they stand by to help businesses in and near the construction zone weather the project. Once the new bridge is completed, the county will begin rebuilding Lyndale Ave from the bridge south to 56th Street.