The planning, design, and construction processes were completed more quickly than normal because Interstate 35W is a critical artery for commuters and truck freight.

[12] Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak (DFL) said that future needs and policy considerations shouldn't be ignored in the rush to build a replacement and sought a new bridge able to handle increased traffic as well as mass transit.

[14] Commissioner Molnau, in conjunction with Metropolitan Council Chairman Peter Bell, recommended that light rail not be incorporated in the new bridge design.

[17] After the collapse of the bridge's predecessor, MnDOT announced to potential contractors that they should express their intention to bid on the project by August 8, 2007.

Disincentives for missing the completion date of December 24, 2008 included a $200,000 per day penalty, while incentives to finish early could have been as much as $27 million.

[4] Minnesota State Patrol cars at both the north and south ends allowed rush hour traffic to build up behind them.

The team constructed the $234 million bridge three months ahead of schedule and on budget, with no lost time due to safety accidents.

The bridge makes use of a special photocatalytic concrete called TX Active for the construction of two decorative sculptures that resemble the symbol for water used on maps.

This material reacts with ultraviolet light and pulls pollutant particles of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide out of the air and converts them to less harmful substances.

[35] The concrete comprising the drilled shafts, piers and footings contained large levels of replacement of Portland cement with slag, fly ash and other pozzolans.

[36] These materials reduce the embodied energy of the structure and allow the concrete to resist the ingress of water and dissolved solids such as chloride ions.

[38] The bridge won the 2009 America's Transportation Awards, a prize sponsored by AASHTO, for "representing the best in innovative management, accountability and timeliness".