Hastings bridge reduced to one lane

by Toni Randolph, Minnesota Public Radio

Later today the Highway 61 Bridge in Hastings will be reduced to a single lane traffic, around the clock, while crews do maintenance work on the span.

St. Paul, Minn. — Traffic on the bridge will be reduced to one lane starting tonight at 10 p.m.

The lane reduction will be in place 24 hours per-day, seven days a week as crews perform maintenance work and paint the bridge. MnDOT said traffic delays could be significant.

About 32,000 cars cross the Hastings bridge every day.

State transportation officials say there will be alternating traffic until mid-July, instead of all summer since the state announced plans to replace the bridge in 2010.

As a result, MnDOT decided to reduce the amount of maintenance and painting work scheduled for this year. Officials said they're doing the most necessary work to keep the bridge safe and in good repair until it's replaced.