How the other half lives

Star Tribune Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:36:46 GMT
Bridge opening to reunite North St. Paul

The Margaret Street bridge over Hwy. 36 will open in July, finally linking the high school side of the highway with the downtown side. The principal at North High School in North St. Paul has been watching with anticipation as workers hit the final stretch of construction of the Margaret Street bridge over Hwy. 36. "North High School is smiling," said Greg Nelson, noting that the bridge will allow his students, staff and hundreds of other residents to zip directly into downtown. "We've been patient, but we'll be glad when it's finally open." If all goes as planned, the Margaret Street bridge will open in July, linking the north and south sides of North St. Paul with a safe and quick connection over Hwy. 36 for the first time. Previously there was a road-level intersection across Hwy. 36 that was often a safety hazard, in particular for children and seniors, said Wally Wysopal, North St. Paul city manager. And it had a long red light for cars waiting to cross to the other side of the city, he said. The bridge is one of the final phases of the Hwy. 36 construction project, and the most important for North St. Paul, Wysopal said. "This is about connecting our community," Wysopal said. "Margaret Street is at the dead center of our city."

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