Lyndale Bridge Opening To Be Celebrated With Block Party Saturday

This week is poised to be one of celebration for the communities along the southern end of Lyndale Avenue in Southwest Minneapolis. Monday afternoon, the brand-new bridge will be dedicated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. All day Saturday, the new bridge and the rebuilt South Lyndale roadway will be the subject of an all-day block party.

“In 1997, residents from the 10 neighborhoods along this corridor developed a vision for a 21st century Lyndale Avenue that connected the neighborhoods, was safe for pedestrians and vehicles, and restored the grandeur of the avenue. Completion of this project is the realization of their vision,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman in a written statement sent to Patch last week. “Lyndale Avenue is now not just a transportation corridor, but a destination.”

The street party on Saturday kicks off at 8 a.m. with special deals at stores all along South Lyndale that last all day. At 11 a.m., the main party kicks off—for full details, see the flyer posted above, or a larger version posted here—followed by history tours at 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., and a race across the bridge at 2 p.m., featuring City Councilmember Betsy Hodges (Ward 13).