What is interesting is that both this bridge, and the Bridge Of Hope (MN-15), the next bridge downstream, cross sections of the river that have distinctly different character. The river in Sartell is narrow, deep, and fast moving. The river near the Bridge Of Hope is wide, shallow, and slow moving. In Sartell, it is a narrow channel with deep banks. At the Bridge Of Hope, the banks are shallow and there are islands in the river. Despite these differences, the two bridges are both built using the concrete girder style, and both bridges are within a foot in length of each other. Two very different areas, but with very similar solutions to the river crossing problem.
The piers that support the Sartell Bridge are interesting. First, there are two styles. One style has no supports between the pillars at ground level, while the river piers do have supports between the pillars at water level. Second, the pillars are the same size on all piers at the top of the pillars, and again at the bottom of the pillars. But given differing heights of the piers, the shorter pillars look short and stocky, while the taller ones look sleek and graceful.
The photo at the top of the page is profile view of the river crossing as seen from the parking lot of a gas station located a few blocks south of the river. The photo below is the north face of the structure.
