“What stories could this bridge tell?” Think of the St. Anthony Parkway Bridge Overlook Plaque as our gateway to understanding this landmark.
The St. Anthony Parkway Bridge Overlook Plaque commemorates a bridge that’s seen quite a transformation. The original bridge, built in 1925 by Northern Pacific Railroad, was a five-span truss structure. It was even considered for the National Register of Historic Places due to its engineering significance.
However, time takes its toll. By the 21st century, the old bridge was in bad shape. It wasn’t structurally redundant. A single point of failure could have caused the whole thing to collapse. Even more concerning, it spanned 21 BNSF Northtown Rail Yard tracks. Imagine the risk to the 50 trains that passed daily.
So, in 2016, the original bridge was removed and replaced with a new three-span bridge. This new St. Anthony Parkway Bridge is numbered 27B97. One unique feature is its 305-foot steel truss span. Instead of building it in place, workers built it off to the side. Then they carefully rolled it into position over the tracks.
The project wasn’t just about safety. It was also about preserving history. The team worked with historical agencies to mitigate any loss of historical elements. They even integrated portions of the old trusses into an interpretive plaza. This plaza features information kiosks and sculptures made from pieces of the old bridge.
Standing here at the St. Anthony Parkway Bridge Overlook Plaque, you get a stunning view. You can see the Minneapolis skyline and the bustling railyard below. Take a closer look at the sculptural elements from the old truss. Read the panels that illustrate the history of this area.
This project earned awards. Finance and Commerce named it a 2017 Project of the Year. The American Council of Engineering Companies, Minnesota Chapter, gave it the 2019 Grand Conceptor Award.
The new St. Anthony Parkway Bridge features two 12-foot lanes for vehicles. It also has a sidewalk and a bicycle trail. The truss design includes a redundant post-tensioned bottom chord.
The St. Anthony Parkway Bridge Overlook Plaque reminds us of the careful work. It also reminds us the coordination that went into this project. It was a partnership between the City of Minneapolis, BNSF Northtown Rail Yard, MnDOT, and others. They all came together to blend history, technology, and public outreach.