What was it like to cross the Minnesota River before this bridge? Before the Bloomington Ferry Bridge gracefully arched across the river, there was a time of ferries and floods. Imagine needing to cross this wide expanse of water. The only option was a simple ferry, its fate tied to the whims of the mighty Minnesota River. The Bloomington Ferry Bridge, completed in 1996, stands as a testament to progress, a 1.1-mile-long engineering marvel. It replaced not just one, but two previous bridges. The first, built in 1889, succumbed to the relentless passage of time. The second, a temporary structure, fell victim to the river’s tendency to flood. The current Bloomington Ferry Bridge, however, was strategically built upstream. This clever placement, a testament to the lessons learned from its predecessors, ensures its resilience against the river’s watery tantrums. No longer would the community be held hostage by the river’s unpredictable nature. Trade and travel could flow smoothly, thanks to the steadfast presence of the Bloomington Ferry Bridge.
Parker Hannifin Hydraulic Pump and Power Systems Division
What if I told you the hydraulic power you use every day, from the machinery in a factory to the