A new bridge on St. Louis County Highway 88, crossing the Burntside River west of Ely, was slated to open to traffic Friday night, county officials reported.
The project to replace the old, nearly 80-year-old span had started in early August and wrapped up for the season two weeks ahead of schedule, the county reported. The new bridge is a 105-foot concrete-slab span; it does not have the weight limitations of the old bridge, and offers more clearance between the river and bottom of the bridge to allow for increased navigational use of the river.
There will be a road closure for about three weeks next year, from May 21 to June 9, for final road paving, bridge painting and other work.
The $1.26 million for the project will come from state aid.
