The Robert K. Horn bridge is a prestressed concrete girder bridge. The river runs at an angle to the road, so the entire bridge is built at that angle. This includes the bridge abutments and the large massive piers.

The Horn bridge is the first bridge to be built at this location. It was constructed to be a relief route for the only other highway bridge in the central part of Grand Rapids. It is named after former Grand Rapids mayor Robert K. Horn.

For the traveler, this bridge will represent a transition. Upstream, we find a number of lakes and dams, and a rapid drop in the river elevation. Heading downriver towards the Brainerd Lakes area, we find a very different river, one that is moves very slow, drops very little in elevation, and is very, very crooked. The river has an almost uncountable number of oxbow loops, switchbacks, and squiggles.

The photo above is a view looking north along the east face of the bridge. The photo below is a view under the bridge from the water level at the southwest corner of the structure. The photo at the top of the page is a view looking north down the length of the traffic deck.

The photo above is a view of the bridge looking downriver from a city park located about 1000 feet upriver. The photo below is a highway sign announcing the bridge name.