High Bridge (St. Paul) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smith Avenue High Bridge |
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The High Bridge with downtown Saint Paul in the background
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| Coordinates | 44°56′00″N 93°06′16″W / 44.93333°N 93.10444°W |
| Carries | Two lanes of  MN 149 |
| Crosses | Mississippi River |
| Locale | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Maintained by | Minnesota Department of Transportation |
| ID number | 62090 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Inverted arch and two half-arches for the main span; eight plate girder spans on the north side |
| Total length | 2,770 ft (840 m) |
| Width | 54 ft (16 m) |
| Height | 160 ft (49 m) (deck) |
| Longest span | 520 ft (160 m) |
| Clearance below | 149 ft (45 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | July 1987 |
The Smith Avenue High Bridge, often called the High Bridge, is a super tall bridge in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It carries Minnesota State Highway 149 and Smith Avenue right over the mighty Mississippi River. This bridge was built in 1987 and cost about $20 million. It's the highest bridge in Saint Paul, standing about 160 feet (49 meters) above the ground!
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The High Bridge Today
The current Smith Avenue High Bridge is an interesting type of bridge called an "inverted arch bridge." This means its main support curve goes downwards, like a smile, instead of upwards. It also has two half-arches and eight flat sections supported by strong metal beams. The bridge is 2,770 feet (844 meters) long and 54 feet (16 meters) wide. It has two lanes for cars and trucks to cross the river safely. The Minnesota Department of Transportation takes care of keeping the bridge in good shape.
A Look at the Old Bridge
Before the current bridge, there was an older one built in 1889. This first bridge was made of iron and was also very long, about 2,770 feet (844 meters). It was a "Warren deck truss bridge," which means it had a special pattern of triangles to make it strong.
In 1904, a big storm or a tornado damaged part of the old bridge. The five sections furthest south had to be rebuilt. Even with this repair, the bridge served Saint Paul for almost 100 years!
Why the Old Bridge Was Replaced
By 1977, engineers checked the old bridge and found that it was no longer safe. It had serious problems that couldn't be fixed. Because of this, the Minnesota Department of Transportation put a limit on how heavy vehicles could be when crossing the bridge.
The old bridge was finally closed in 1984 and taken down in 1985. When the new bridge was built, some of the fancy iron decorations from the old bridge were used in the new one. This was a cool way to remember the original structure. The first bridge was even listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, which means it was recognized as an important historical landmark. It was removed from the list after it was taken down.
Recent Updates to the Bridge
In September 2017, the High Bridge was closed again for a big project. Workers needed to replace the entire top surface, or "deck," where cars drive. This was a major repair to keep the bridge safe and smooth for traffic. After more than a year of work, the bridge reopened to traffic on November 21, 2018.
Gallery
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Original High Bridge circa 1900
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Wreck of the High Bridge in the storm of 1904
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Current High Bridge from the northwest
