Imagine the roar of 1920s traffic. It echoes as you stand before the Robert Street Bridge. This isn’t just a bridge. It’s a story etched in concrete and steel.
The Robert Street Bridge spans the Mississippi River in downtown Saint Paul. Think of it as more than just a crossing. It is a gateway to the city’s heart.
Back in the early 20th century, the original wrought-iron bridge built in 1886 was struggling. More and more traffic crossed it daily. City planners knew they needed something bigger. They needed something better.
The Robert Street Bridge was commissioned in the early 1920s. It replaced the old, obsolete span. The Fegles Construction Company built it between 1924 and 1926. Toltz, King & Day designed it.
The engineers faced quite the puzzle. They had to consider river traffic. The St. Paul Union Pacific Vertical-lift Rail Bridge crossed underneath at an angle. Roadways on the downtown side of St. Paul further complicated things. They also had to provide adequate clearance above the river.
These challenges dictated the placement of nearly every pier. The Robert Street Bridge features a combination of barrel-arch and rib-arch flanking spans. But the real showstopper is the rainbow arch for the central span.
This rainbow arch isn’t just for show. It provides 62 feet of headroom above the river. It also creates a strong aesthetic focus. The Robert Street Bridge is a reinforced concrete multiple-arch bridge. Its complex design makes it truly unique.
The bridge’s massive rainbow arch ribs rise 30 feet above the roadway. They create a gateway for motorists entering downtown Saint Paul.
The Robert Street Bridge received architectural detailing in the Moderne style. Minnesota architect Roy Childs Jones added highlighting and shadows. This created an overall stylistic effect. Look for the 12 large concrete medallions. They are mounted on the piers and floor-beam ends.
The bridge has bronze dedication plaques too. The Robert Street Bridge is significant for its series of reinforced-concrete arches. The massive rainbow arch ribs are particularly noteworthy.
Interestingly, Warren Burger helped build this bridge. He later became Chief Justice of the United States.
In 1989, the Robert Street Bridge earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. The same firm that designed it originally rebuilt it. It was now known as TKDA. The bridge stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and artistic vision.
The Robert Street Bridge is named after Captain Louis Roberts. He was a notable French Canadian river boat captain. He was also a businessman and early settler of Saint Paul.
So next time you cross the Robert Street Bridge remember its story. Remember the challenges overcome and the vision realized. It is more than just a way to get from here to there. It’s a piece of Saint Paul’s history.