Dale Street bridge reconstruction project awarded Project of the Year honorable mention
In November 2021, the American Public Works Association – Minnesota Chapter recognized the Dale Street/I-94 interchange project with an honorable mention for Project of the Year.
The project was selected based on several key factors:
- Significant pedestrian safety improvements.
- Community engagement and involvement in the bridge design, public art and aesthetics.
- A design that reflects and respects the neighborhood’s diverse community.
District 4 Commissioner Toni Carter accepted the award at the APWA conference alongside members of the engineering team. Richard McCoy, vice chair of the APWA Minnesota chapter awards committee, also presented the award at the Nov. 23 board meeting.
The $14.7 million project involved rebuilding Dale Street between Iglehart and University avenues in Saint Paul, including reconstructing and widening the bridge over I-94. Construction occurred in 2020 and 2021 following an extensive, multi-year planning and community engagement process that prioritized safety and equity.
Several design features improve safety for all users – particularly pedestrians – in alignment with the county’s All-Abilities Transportation Network policy. Features include wider sidewalks and boulevards, curb extensions and improved lighting. The new design also includes reconfigured vehicle through lanes and left turn lanes to better accommodate traffic volumes and flow.
The new bridge over I-94 incorporates numerous public art elements to commemorate the history, community and cultures of the vibrant Rondo neighborhood including:
- “I am Rondo” text imprints in 11 languages representing the neighborhood’s various ethnic communities, as well as the original Dakota name of the land.
- Inlaid leaves along the sidewalks mimicking Lindy Hop dance steps.
- Columns imprinted with neighborhood homes destroyed during construction of I-94 in the 1960s.
- Large-scale oak tree silhouettes referencing the canopy of oak trees that once lined the neighborhood.
The art elements were designed by local artists Mica Lee Anders, Hawona Sullivan Janzen and G.E. Patterson under the mentorship of Seitu Jones through a partnership with Springboard for the Arts.