Hennepin Avenue Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hennepin Avenue Bridge |
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Hennepin Avenue Bridge as it appears today.
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| Coordinates | 44°59′07″N 93°15′50″W / 44.98528°N 93.26389°W |
| Carries | 6 lanes of Hennepin Avenue (CSAH 52) |
| Crosses | Mississippi River |
| Locale | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Maintained by | Hennepin County |
| ID number | 27636 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Suspension bridge |
| Total length | 316 metres (1,037 ft) |
| Width | 41 metres (135 ft) |
| Longest span | 190 metres (620 ft) |
| Clearance below | 11 metres (36 ft) |
| History | |
| Designer | HNTB Corporation |
| Opened | 1990 |
Bridges over the Mississippi in Minneapolis–St. Paul. Hennepin Ave. Bridge is in the top half of the image between Minneapolis BNSF and 3rd Ave. Bridge.
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The Hennepin Avenue Bridge is a very important bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It helps people cross the mighty Mississippi River. This bridge carries six lanes of Hennepin Avenue, a busy road, over the water. It is located right next to Nicollet Island.
The bridge's official name is the Father Louis Hennepin Bridge. It is named after Louis Hennepin, an explorer from the 1600s. He was the first European to see the amazing Saint Anthony Falls, which is a short distance downriver from the bridge.
About the Hennepin Avenue Bridge
The Hennepin Avenue Bridge is a modern suspension bridge. This means it uses strong cables to hold up the main part of the bridge. It was designed by a company called HNTB Corporation.
The main part of the bridge, called the main span, is about 190 meters (623 feet) long. The entire bridge stretches for 316 meters (1,037 feet). It is 41 meters (135 feet) wide, making it wide enough for many cars. The bridge opened in 1990 and is maintained by Hennepin County.
A Bridge with History
The Hennepin Avenue Bridge holds a special place in history. The very first bridge at this spot opened on January 23, 1855. Many people believe this was the first permanent bridge ever built across the entire Mississippi River! It started as a toll bridge, meaning people had to pay to cross it.
This isn't the only bridge that has stood here. Over the years, there have been several bridges in this exact location. Two of the earlier bridges were also suspension bridges, similar to the one we see today. Another bridge, which lasted for almost 100 years, was made of steel arch spans.
Timeline of Bridges
- 1855: The first permanent bridge across the Mississippi River opened.
- 1876: A new bridge was completed.
- 1891: Another bridge was built to replace an older one.
- 1990: The current Hennepin Avenue Bridge opened, designed to last for many years.
The Hennepin Avenue Bridge is a vital link for transportation in Minneapolis. It connects different parts of the city and helps thousands of people get where they need to go every day.
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The original structure around 1865
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Looking towards Northeast Minneapolis
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The bridge with the famous Grain Belt sign nearby
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Looking towards the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
