_F- . , -"...j,2t Above: The old and the new. On the Ieft the historic Lyndale crossing of the Minnesota River. The photo vividly illustrates the difference in width of old and new, The Lyndale Avenue While the old had one lane each way, the new, carrying Interstate 35W trafiic, has three lanes each way. Photo: 35W Bridge 1960, Dahota County Tribune. The Lyndale Avenue Bridge was the first direct highway connection from Minneapolis to the southern and western part of the state. Built at the cost of $1,000,000 in L920-21, the bridge received much public support throughout its construction. Mrs. R.H. Benham, whose husband was instrumental in the drive which resulted in highway improvement along the route of the bridge, *u. ihu first person to cross it.44 The bridge crossed the Minnesota River on Lyndale into Burnsville. As the freeway system began to take shape, a new bridge, Interstate 35W, was built in 1957 parallei to the oid bridge. However, the new bridge was not met with the same enthusiasm as the old bridge. Residents and landowners of Burnsville who were assessed, questioaed the benefits the bridge offered them and did not want to pay for it.ab In 1984, the bridge needed widening and repairs which totaled $7.5 million. The work was done-by Lunda Construction of Black River Falls, WI.46 Above: Here the lift section of the old bridge is opened PinPoints during the 1940s. Passing through is one of the many ships built for the U.S. Navy by the Cargill Corporation. MNDOT Facts for Bridge No. 5983 The vessels traveled over 1,000 miles to reach open sea. Built in 1957; remodeled in 1984 P hoto : Minne sota Historical Society collections. Structure : Steel Construction Length: 7,445.7 ft. ; longest span 224 fl. Waterway clearance: 31 ft. vert.; 200 ft. horiz. Roadway: Interstate 35W Page22 OverTheYears.