Damaged north metro bridge over Hwy. 169 partially reopens

A busy Twin Cities bridge over Highway 169 partially reopened Friday.

The Elm Creek Boulevard/Brooklyn Boulevard bridge connecting Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove shut down Monday morning after being struck by a backhoe being hauled by a dump truck.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation said several concrete beams sustained significant damage and the bridge will require repairs in the spring.

In the meantime, the bridge is back open to vehicle traffic.

According to MNDOT, engineers determined the bridge could safely reopen with restrictions, including restrictions on overweight vehicles.

"The bridge has reopened with two lanes on the eastbound side and one westbound lane," MNDOT shared. "The far north side of the bridge is closed off with concrete median barrier."

The bridge is expected to fully reopen following repairs in the spring.