Summary of work: Replace the deck of Veteran's Memorial Bridge, which spans over the Minnesota River, the railroad, and Riverfront Dr. Repair approach panels and joints on the bridge over Hwy 169. Replace the signals at the interchange of Hwy 169 and Belgrade Ave. Replace pedestrian ramps and sidewalk to meet Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards. Provide dual left turn lanes to the Hwy 169 southbound on-ramp. Improve roadway drainage

Traffic impacts: Traffic will be detoured during construction into late fall 2026, weather permitting. Final completion is expected in early summer 2027 with remaining work completed under traffic without additional detours.

View complete information: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d7/projects/vetsbridge/index.html

Grant: Grant Agreement No. 1061718, State of Minnesota Local Bridge Replacement Program, SP 137-152-002 Veteran’s Memorial Bridge and Hwy 169/Belgrade Interchange Project

Agency Leadership: Susan MH Arntz, City Manager, 507-387-8695

Grant Manager: Cory Bienfang, City Engineer, 507-387-8643

Project updates

Friday, September 11, 2026

Bridge girder painting is ongoing and is expected to be completed on Friday, September 25th weather permitting.  N. Riverfront Drive between E. Main Street and Plum Street will remain closed until that work is completed.  Detour is currently being provided during the closure.  Non-wear bituminous paving expected to occur on the east side to the bridge to the cut line on E. Mulberry Street on Friday, September 11th.

Friday, September 4, 2026

N. Riverfront Drive between E. Main Street and Plum Street will be closing on Tuesday, September 8th for bridge girder painting.  This closure is expected to last three weeks and a detour will be provided for this closure.  Bituminous paving of Mulberry Street east of new bridge concrete is expected to occur the week of September 7th.

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Pouring of sidewalks and medians occurring on the Mankato side of the bridge this week.  Removal of temporary decking and temporary overhangs on the north and south sides of the bridge over N. Riverfront Drive to start on Wednesday, August 26th and is scheduled to complete by the end of the day Friday, August 28th.  This work will result in lane restrictions on northbound and southbound N. Riverfront Drive during that time period.

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Temporary overhang/decking is currently being removed from the bridge sections over N. Riverfront Drive and is expected to be completed by the end of the day Friday, August 28th.  Temporary lane restrictions will end at that time as well.  Curb and gutter on Mulberry Street between bridge structure and cut line on existing street is expected to be poured on Saturday, August 29th.  Painting work on bridge girders is expected to start on Tuesday, September 8th which will result in N. Riverfront Drive (between E. Main Street and Plum Street) being closed for approx. 3 weeks.  A detour will be provided for this closure and work.

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Bridge deck pours over spans 2 & 3 (N. Mankato side) scheduled for night of 8/12.  Work that is scheduled to be completed on the Mankato side of the bridge during the week of August 17th includes finishing up concrete barrier wall, preparing for curb and gutter on Mulberry Street, and finishing up the installation of electrical conduits.

Friday, August 7, 2026

Concrete barrier walls on the north and south sides of the bridge are currently getting installed over the railroad tracks on the Mankato side of the bridge.  Expect concrete sidewalks and medians to be poured starting the week of 8/17/26 on the Mankato side of the bridge.

Friday, July 31, 2026

Safespan and falsework that was installed on the bridge temporarily to support work up to the deck pour is currently being removed from the bridge.  This work is expected to conclude at the by Friday, July 31st and N. Riverfront Drive between E. Main Street and Plum Street will reopen at that time.  Concrete barriers on the north and south edges of the bridge on the Mankato side of the bridge are currently being installed.

Friday, July 24, 2026

N. Riverfront Drive between E. Main Street and Plum Street is scheduled to close Monday, July 27th at 7:00 am so crews can remove the falsework and safespan from the bridge over N. Riverfront Drive.  Expect this work to last 2-3 weeks.  A detour will be provided to motorists while this work is being conducted.

Friday, July 17, 2026

North Riverfront Drive is scheduled to close Monday, July 27th for crews to take down falsework and safespan over N. Riverfront Drive.  This closure is expected to last 2 weeks.  A detour will be provided for this closure.  The concrete approach panel to the bridge on the Mankato side was poured on Friday, July 17th. 

Friday, July 10, 2026

Crews are currently preparing bridge deck over N. Riverfront Drive for the concrete deck pour that is scheduled to begin the evening of Wednesday, July 1st weather permitting.  This operation will result in N. Riverfront Drive closing (between E. Main Street & Plum Street) through the end of the day Thursday, July 2nd. A detour will be provided during the course of the road closure.  If this work is delayed due to weather, updated road closure information will be provided on the portable message boards located at the intersection of S. Riverfront Drive/Liberty Street and at N. Riverfront Drive between the intersections of Elm and Spring Streets.

Friday, July 10, 2026

The concrete bridge deck pour over N Riverfront Drive is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 1st.  N Riverfront Drive between E Main Street and Plum Street will be closing at 1:00 pm that day and a detour will be provided to motorists. The street is expected to reopen by the end of the day of Thursday, July 2nd.   

Friday, July 10, 2026

The closure of N. Riverfront Drive between E. Main Street and Plum Street due to the concrete bridge deck pour scheduled for Wednesday, July 1st at 1:00 PM has been postponed due to the weather forecast.  The concrete deck pour has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 7th.  N. Riverfront Drive will close that day at 1:00 PM and is expected to reopen at the end of the day Wednesday, July 8th.  A detour will be provided for motorists during that time period.

Friday, July 10, 2026

The concrete bridge deck pour over the bridge spans on N. Riverfront Drive was completed on the morning of Friday, July 10th.  N. Riverfront Drive will reopen by the end of the day of Friday, July 10th.

Thursday, March 26, 2026

View construction updates on the MnDOT website

Watch construction on the Veteran's Memorial Bridge in progress (View courtesy of Ardent Mills)