the new interstate 35w st . anthony falls causeway in minneapolis , minnesota , united countries was opened approximately after 5 am now . it replaces a bridge which fell last summer , dying 13 people . a fire engine and ambulance were left crossing on each side . in each direction , a chain of state park patrol cruisers was followed by a line of minister of transportation construction trailers . a grouping of anticipation vehicles continued horns across for a few minutes , then traffic returned to the sparse altitudes more typical of the pre - morning period . the september 18 opening was slightly ahead of the scheduled december 24 goal , paying the contractor , flatiron - hailey , up to $ 19 . 6 million in performance bonuses . the viaduct is 189 steps thick , with a main span width of 504 feet and a deck height of over 100 feet above the mississippi river .
Interstate 35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge crosses the Mississippi River.