Behold the Richard P. Braun Bridge a testament to modern engineering. This bridge connects Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids in Minnesota. It spans the mighty Mississippi River.
The Richard P. Braun Bridge actually consists of two separate bridges. These bridges work together seamlessly. The eastbound span opened in 1985. It linked Minnesota State Highway 252 with Minnesota State Highway 610. The westbound span followed in 1999. It supported the Highway 610 extension through Brooklyn Park.
This bridge is not just concrete and steel. It’s named after Richard P. Braun. He served as Mn/DOT Commissioner from 1979 to 1986. Daily 39,000 vehicles cross the Richard P. Braun Bridge.
Imagine the discussions that shaped this project. The freeway was proposed in the 1960s. Studies continued throughout the 1970s. A Brooklyn Park mayor joked about buying the Brooklyn Bridge. He suggested rebuilding it over the Mississippi for faster results.
The westbound span opened first with four lanes. Two lanes flowed in each direction. The completion of the eastbound span in 1999 changed everything. The bridges were reconfigured for four lanes in each direction. The eastbound bridge features three through lanes. One lane exits to East River Road. The westbound bridge has four lanes. These split into two highways on the west end.
Look closely. You will notice the sidewalk and regional trail. It runs along the south side of the eastbound span. This makes it wider than its counterpart. There is even a concrete divider. It protects trail users from traffic speeding at 65 miles per hour.
From the bridge deck the Richard P. Braun Bridge appears as one structure. A closer look reveals a gap between the two spans. The center guardrails cleverly conceal this separation.
Richard P. Braun was more than a commissioner. He was the Chairman of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. He also directed the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies. Braun further served as a director at Image Sensing Systems. This company developed traffic monitoring video cameras.
Consider the impact of this bridge. It catalyzed development west of the river. Target Corporation established a large operations center nearby. This followed the highway’s opening.
Take a moment to appreciate the views. Note the photos from the west end. They show the bridge looking northeast. Photos from the east end show it looking southwest. There is an observation deck. It offers views of the traffic deck.
There’s a trail leading to the pedestrian and bicycle path. Find it on the downriver side of the bridge. Monuments stand at the southeast and northeast corners. Pedestrian access is limited to the south side.
The Richard P. Braun Bridge stands as a vital transportation link. It also honors a distinguished public servant. Its design and history reflect Minnesota’s growth and progress.