In 2014, city engineers found the bridge's outer lanes to be "structurally deficient." Those lanes have been restricted ever since, and the city has made an effort the past fours years to get money to solve the problem.

This year St. Paul is seeking $40 million in bond money from lawmakers to secure the necessary funding.

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Lowertown residents, like Melanie Weaver, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they've been waiting a long time for the bridge repairs and consider it vital to the Lowertown neighborhood by CHS Field and the Farmer's Market.

"The bridge is a main artery really that connects us to Dayton's Bluff and the East side," Weaver said. "Having the bridge fully functional is critical for those of us who live here, but it is even more important for the Lowertown businesses.

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Lowertown resident Chip Stroebel said it is a good problem to have because it is a sign Lowertown and St. Paul overall are both growing.

"With CHS Field and Farmer's Market here I just love it and so do a lot of other people," Stroebel said. "It would definitely be nice to see them get the bridge fixed and safe for the pedestrians and bicyclists, too."

Last year the city asked lawmakers for $46 million.

The bridge opened in the early 1980s and St. Paul took over control of it in 1983 and the wear and tear have left it short in federal safety requirements.

Despite the existing problems, city engineers said the bridge's designated lanes are still safe to use.