Current Weather Conditions
John A. Weeks III
Thursday, March 28, 2024, 3:16:51 AM CDT
Home Photo Tours Rail Fan 12 Easy Steps
Aviation Spacecraft Highways & Bridges About The Author
 
Google Search
Maps   Groups   Images   Search
 
  Home
  • 12 Easy Steps
  • Aviation
  • Spacecraft
  • Highways & Bridges
    » Bridge Photography
      - MSP River Bridges
      - C & D Canal
      - Illinois River
      - Minnehaha Creek
      - Minnesota River
        › Ortonville - Odessa
        › Correll - Wegdahl
        › Granite Fls - Rdwd Fls
        › Morton - Judson
        › Mankato - Jordan
          · US-169 North Star
          · Veterans Memorial Br
          · US-14 Bridge
          · Omaha Bridge Ruins
          · MN-22 Bridge
          · Broadway Bridge
          · MN-93 Bridge
          · US-169 Bridge
          · MN-19 Bridge
          · Blakeley Bridge
          · MN-25 Bridge
          · Crvr Co 45 Scott Co 9
        › MSP West Metro
        › MSP South Metro
      - Mississippi River
      - Missouri River
      - St. Croix River
      - St. Louis River
      - Wisconsin River
      - Best Miss River Photos
      - Cable Stayed Bridges
      - McGilvray Road Bridges
      - I-35W Bridge Disaster
      - Miscellaneous Bridges
      - Madison County Bridges
      - Hist Br Weekend 2013
    » Road Geek Topics
  • Photo Tours
  • Rail Fan
  • About The Author
 
Site Search By JRank
Highways, Byways, And Bridge Photography
Broadway Bridge
Minnesota River Highway Crossing
Saint Peter, MN

MN-99 Bridge

• Structure ID: NBI: 4930.
• Location: River Mile 98.0.
• River Elevation: 737 Feet.
• Highway: MN-99.
• Daily Traffic Count: 7,000 (2004).
• Bridge Type: Steel Through Truss.
• Length: 402 Feet Overall, 196 Foot Longest Span.
• Width: 30 Feet, 2 Lanes.
• Navigation Channel Width: Non-Navigable.
• Height Above Water: 24 Feet (Estimated).
• Date Built: 1931.
The Broadway Bridge carries MN-99 across the Minnesota River heading east out of the small town of Saint Peter, Minnesota. This 1931 era steel truss bridge is one of the few remaining truss bridges from that era left in the state that are still carrying a major load in the form of a state highway. This bridge replaced a swing span bridge that was open to traffic from 1887 to 1929.

This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 5, 1999. The registry recognizes the bridge as being historically significant and being worthy of saving. Specifically, the structure is recognized as being significant for its engineering compared to other structures from the years 1925 to 1949.

The bridge itself is very unusual. A crossing such as this would normally be built with two independent truss spans set end to end. But in this case, this is essentially one long continuous truss. In addition, the two humps in the truss are at different heights, and two humps do not join where the pier is located. The two sections of the truss do share the same design, with the same number of structural elements, but the longer truss section has the structural members placed farther apart. The two color silver and black paint scheme serves to add to the somewhat odd appearance of the Broadway Bridge.

Saint Peter has produced a large number of notable people including five former governors. Ann Denver, widow of singing star John Denver, is from the city. The Denvers were married in Saint Peter. The vocal group Peter, Paul, and Mary sang at the wedding.

The photo above is a profile view of the bridge from a vantage point located just upriver of the structure. The photo below is the first of a three photo series showing a typical river crossing heading westbound towards the city of Saint Peter. In this photo, we are approaching the bridge while traveling on a causeway built across the river flats area.


MN-99 Bridge
MN-99 Bridge
These two photos are the final two photos of a three photo series showing a typical river crossing heading westbound towards the city of Saint Peter. In the photo above, we are approaching the east bridge portal. We are inside the bridge truss about half way across the river channel in the photo below.

MN-99 Bridge
MN-99 Bridge
These two photos are views from Riverside Park located just south of the Broadway Bridge. The river makes a sharp turn to the right, allowing for a vantage point that appears like it is in the middle of the river channel. The photo above is the eastern bridge span on the Le Sueur County side of the river, while the photo below is the western bridge span on the Nicollet County side of the river.

MN-99 Bridge
MN-99 Bridge
These two photos are the first of six photos from the spring flood of 2010. These two photos are the west portal of the Broadway Bridge. The photo above shows the barricades closing the bridge to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The photo below is a closer view without the barricades in the photo.

MN-99 Bridge
MN-99 Bridge
The photo above is looking east through the bridge truss down the center of the traffic deck. Note the barricades visible on the far end of the bridge. The photo below is looking down the upriver south face of the Broadway Bridge. Interestingly, the bridge railing, the attachment of the bridge railing, and the details of the truss work is very similar to that of the Stillwater Lift Bridge over the Saint Croix River. Both bridges were built and opened in 1931.

MN-99 Bridge
MN-99 Bridge
The photo above is a view through the trees from the west riverbank on the Saint Peter side of the Minnesota River. The photo below is a view from Riverside Park. The boat landing at the park is located near the light post on the right side of the photo. Compare the water levels in these two photos with the side views above. The water had been flowing over the bridge deck during the crest of the flood a few days before these photos were taken.

MN-99 Bridge

Made With Macintosh
Authored by John A. Weeks III, Copyright © 1996—2016, all rights reserved.
For further information, contact: john@johnweeks.com