6th Street Bridge, Roadway Safety & Riverfront Improvements

The 6th Street Bridge, Roadway Safety and Riverfront Improvements project will construct a bridge over the Zumbro River that connects East and West 6th Street South as well as redevelop the area’s existing flood control system into an accessible riverfront space. In 2020, the City led the  Downtown Waterfront Southeast Small Area Plan  to create a vision for the area. The 6th Street Bridge and Riverfront Improvements project was a key component of this plan and during the study process a preferred bridge concept was identified. This next phase of the project will develop the detailed design for the preferred concept in preparation for construction in 2026.

In addition to the bridge and riverfront access, additional roadway improvements will be constructed including: 

• streetscape enhancements along Sixth Street SW between Second Avenue SW (Discovery Walk) and South Broadway
• traffic calming features for a new Sixth Street SE between the new bridge and Third Avenue SE
• traffic mitigation for the existing Sixth Street SE between Third Avenue SE and Ninth Avenue SE

In September 2022, The City of Rochester was awarded $19 million through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) federal grant program. During summer 2023 the project team kicked off the preliminary design & engineering efforts and is planning to begin public engagement efforts for the project in spring 2024. See Engagement section for more details.

Check back for updates as the project progresses!

1.       Provide a safe multimodal east-west connection to Discovery Walk, southeast neighborhoods and downtown.

2.       Provide greater access to the Zumbro River by creating an active, accessible, welcoming space that takes advantage of this natural amenity while also providing flood protection.

3.       Improve access to support redevelopment areas in the near-term (AMPI plant site, Kmart site) and to support the economic vitality goals of the DWSE Plan.

4.       Provide equitable transportation access to all through enhanced pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and Complete Streets.

5.       Implement traffic calming and other safety improvements that limit traffic volumes and speeds in adjacent neighborhood

6. Commit to social and economic equity and environmental sustainability throughout the project design and implementation processes.

Total estimated project cost $29.9M including:

• RAISE Grant: $19.9M 
• DMC Local match: $10M 

• Public engagement is essential to developing a design that benefits, reflects and supports the community. Our team plans to gather feedback at key project milestones and use it to inform the next phase of design development. These engagement opportunities include:
• Open houses
• Stakeholder/neighborhood meetings
• Pop-up events
• Surveys
• Interactive comment maps

Check back soon for information on upcoming engagement opportunities!.

 View Event Postcard - March 26, 2024 

This event was an open-house format with no set presentation.  Click here  for the summary from the first open house and survey.

 View Event Postcard  - June 26, 2024 6:30 - 8 PM

The open house was an opportunity to:

• Learn about the project
• Provide feedback and suggestions on bridge concepts, streetscape options and programming ideas
• See the proposed road design and trail alignment
• The latest survey closed July 31, 2024. Check back later for the summary of results.

 Downtown Waterfront Southeast Small Area Project Page 

 Downtown Waterfront Southeast Small Area Plan