Skyway System
Minneapolis boasts the world's largest contiguous system of enclosed pedestrian bridges, spanning 9.5 miles and connecting 80 city blocks. While these elevated walkways protect commuters from harsh weather, they also create unique slip and fall risks:
- Uneven bridge connections: Many skyways were retrofitted into existing buildings, creating awkward transitions and elevation changes that catch pedestrians off guard.
- Poor maintenance: Since skyways are owned by individual buildings, they don't have uniform opening and closing times or maintenance standards. This patchwork ownership often leads to inconsistent cleaning, lighting, and repair schedules.
- Foot traffic congestion: During peak hours, thousands of downtown workers crowd into narrow walkways, increasing the risk of collisions and falls.
- Inadequate lighting: Dimly lit connecting bridges and stairwells make it difficult to spot hazards, especially for the growing number of downtown residents over the age of 65.
- Varying hours of operation: Different building owners set their own skyway access hours, leading to sudden closures and forced detours through unfamiliar areas.