Overview
- The Red Wing Bridge Project is currently underway.
- The Project includes the Highway 63 (Eisenhower) Bridge over the Mississippi River and the Highway 63 Bridge over Highway 61, as well as the highway connections to Highway 61, Highway 58, and approach roadways in Wisconsin.
- MnDOT is currently in the preliminary phase, which includes gathering data and reviewing options, to determine if the bridges should be rehabilitated or replaced.
- Work is currently underway to identify a preferred alternative concept.
Location
- City of Red Wing
Schedule
- Current preliminary design phase will be complete in 2014
- Final design will be completed between 2014 to 2017
- Multi-year construction project will begin in Summer 2018 (proposed).
Historic Bridge Information
Completed in 1960, the Eisenhower Bridge is a steel through-truss bridge that crosses the Mississippi River main channel at Red Wing, Minnesota. The two-lane bridge is 1,631 feet long, 35 feet wide, and stands 65 feet above the river. The Eisenhower Bridge has been determined to not be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. However, the Highway 63 Bridge over Highway 61 is eligible for listing on the NRHP.
Section 106 of the Act requires federal projects to consider historic preservation in planning and decision making. MnDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) work together to ensure the Section 106 process is followed. In addition, state-level agreements also govern historic preservation considerations.
The feasibility of rehabilitating the existing bridges is a key factor in understanding the project alternatives.
Because they must reflect both state and federal regulations and policies, evaluation criteria are being carefully reviewed at all levels. Factors under consideration include the impacts of rehabilitation activities on the historic materials and design of the bridge, the cost of rehabilitation options, the life expectancy of the bridge following rehabilitation activities, and whether rehabilitation can occur without closing the bridge for a significant amount of time.
Other Historic and Archaeological Properties
Additionally, Red Wing contains historically and architecturally significant buildings, which reflect the city’s mid-19th century beginnings as a riverfront trade point. Red Wing includes a total of 25 listings on the NRHP; the downtown district retains the majority of the commercial buildings that were constructed during the city’s early boom period of 1860 – 1910. Red Wing has long been considered a leader in the historic preservation movement in Minnesota, maintaining and rehabilitating a wide range of structures throughout the city.
More information on historic bridges in Minnesota:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/historicbridges/
More information on the Section 106 process:
http://www.achp.gov/docs/CitizenGuide.pdf