Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 61 Hastings Bridge

Hastings

Orange barrels on a highway

Project photos

June 2013

 

Construction crews work to construct the deck of the main span

Construction crews install the maze of reinforcing bar, or rebar, that will strengthen the concrete deck of the south approach, which will support the northbound lanes of Hwy 61 traffic. Once completed, the new Hastings Bridge will service four lanes of traffic.

Another view of a crew member working on the deck of the main span.
A project subcontractor prepares the deck of the north approach for a special surface coating.
A look at construction progress on the main span. Crews are slated to begin pouring concrete for the deck of the main span in mid-April
A view of both the old and new Hastings bridges from upstream.
Capturing the current and the new Hastings bridges in a single shot. The image is representative of both the past and the future of this charming river town.

Crews construct the roadway and north approach of the new Hastings Bridge. Two lanes of traffic—one in each direction—were switched to the new bridge in early June. The process of dismantling the old Hastings Bridge is underway.

A look at construction progress on the main span. Crews are slated to begin pouring concrete for the deck of the main span in mid-April
A surveyor at work on the north side of the Mississippi River. Two lanes of traffic—one in each direction—were switched to the new Hastings Bridge in early June, with all four lanes of traffic on schedule to be rerouted to the new bridge by the end of 2013.
Capturing the current and the new Hastings bridges in a single shot. The image is representative of both the past and the future of this charming river town.

Another view of both the old and new Hastings bridges from the south side of the river near the Hastings downtown district. The entire project is slated to be complete in spring 2014, with four lanes of traffic rerouted to the new Hastings Bridge by the end of 2013.

 

 

 

 

March 2013

 

Construction crews work to construct the deck of the main span

Construction crews work to construct the deck of the main span

Another view of a crew member working on the deck of the main span.
Another view of a crew member working on the deck of the main span.
A look at construction progress on the main span. Crews are slated to begin pouring concrete for the deck of the main span in mid-April
A look at construction progress on the main span. Crews are slated to begin pouring concrete for the deck of the main span in mid-April
Capturing the current and the new Hastings bridges in a single shot. The image is representative of both the past and the future of this charming river town.

Capturing the current and the new Hastings bridges in a single shot. The image is representative of both the past and the future of this charming river town.

February 2013

 

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The Hastings Bridge continues to make progress toward switching two lanes of traffic to the new bridge this spring, despite cold temperatures slowing construction in early 2013.

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Removal of the temporary tie girder began in late January.
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Workers remove the temporary tie girder as part of construction of the Main Span of the new Hastings Bridge.
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Construction crews completed removing the temporary tie girder in mid-February. The deck for the roadway of the new Hastings Bridge will be poured in Spring 2013.

 

Sept. 22, 2012 Pre-lift photos

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All is quiet on the existing bridge. Project leaders closed down Hwy 61 as a safety precaution while the new Main Span was being lifted into place.
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Spectators watched throughout the day as crews worked nonstop to lift the bridge into place.
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Looking eastward, crews are working hard to get the span aligned with the skid system so it can get moved into place.
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A closer look at the skid system that will be used to move the span between the piers.
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One of the strand jacks up close. There were four used to lift the bridge. Each jack has 54 strands, which are made of high-strength steel and are about 18 millimeters in diameter.
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The strand jack sits at the top of Pier 5, waiting to connect with the Main Span.
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Looking down at the Main Span before it is lifted into place. In the background is Jaycee Park where many spectators gathered throughout the move and lift.

 

 

Sept. 22, 2012 Main Span move

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Looking at the Main Span after it had been floated down the river from where it had been moored for a few days.

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Crews have the Main Span on the skid system and move it into place.
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It takes patience to move a 545-foot Main Span.
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A member of the lifting team works to help move the Main Span eastward between Piers 5 and 6.

 

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Another look at the skid system used to move the Main Span in place.

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MnDOT Project Manager Steve Korodosky (left) keeps a close eye on the entire process.
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Other members from the MnDOT team watch and assist with the move.
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As nightfall approaches, crews are getting closer to actually lifting the bridge.

 

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Work continues after dusk.
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The Main Span is connected to the strand system and can now be lifted.

 

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The project site is lit up as crews continue work into the night.

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Great precision is needed when moving such a large and heavy structure.
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By the morning of September 24, the new Main Span is in place next to the existing bridge. Traffic is reopened at noon – ahead of schedule.
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Looking southward at the new Main Span next to the existing bridge. The North Approach lanes were poured before the Main Span was lifted into place.

 

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A look at the new Main Span with the existing bridge sitting behind it. The new span will allow for the same wide navigation channel needed for river traffic.