The Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to install a temporary pedestrian bridge on Highway 14 in Winona at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota on Thursday.

Traffic will not be allowed through that area of Highway 14 while crews use a crane to raise the bridge and secure it over the highway. A detour will be in place through Thursday and possibly part of Friday to ensure that workers and motorists are safe. The detour for eastbound Highway 14 traffic is Winona County Road 23 north at Stockton to Highway 61 south at Minnesota City. Westbound Highway 14 traffic should follow the route in reverse.

The bridge will serve as a temporary replacement for the structure that was severely damaged by a semi-truck crash Sept. 8 and removed a day later. It was not scheduled for replacement within the next 10-year planning cycle.

“We have worked quickly, but carefully to ensure that this structure will serve our temporary needs for effective pedestrian safety, while preserving an efficient and effective transportation system,” said Jeff Vlaminck, district engineer in MnDOT District 6.

Vlaminck said St. Mary’s has been good to work with during the emergency situation and will continue to be a valued partner as plans move ahead for a permanent replacement bridge. MnDOT plans to construct a permanent pedestrian bridge that meets Americans with Disabilities Act requirements within the next two to three years, if funding can be obtained.

MnDOT closed Highway 14 and detoured traffic for less than 48 hours after a semi-truck hit the bridge on Sept. 8 causing damage that left it at risk of collapsing. The bridge, which was built in 1963, serves the St. Mary’s campus. MnDOT established a temporary, signed and marked crosswalk for pedestrians east of Whispering Lane during the interim stage.