Dean Parkway Bridge (Bridge 90661)
See features of the bridge
History and significance
The Dean Parkway Bridge is a reinforced-concrete, cast-in-place slab constructed in 1912. The former Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad bridge features a concrete parapet with Classical Revival details, including recessed panels and circle medallions centered on each span. It currently carries Midtown Avenue over Dean Boulevard. The Dean Parkway Bridge is significant as a contributing resource to the determined-eligible Grand Rounds Historic District.
Rehabilitation activities
Hennepin County Housing, Community Works, and Transit, with assistance from the Federal Highway Administration, rehabilitated Bridge 90661 in 2011. The rehabilitation included repair of deteriorated concrete on the bridge parapet railing, piers, and abutments. To repair areas of deterioration, the contractors utilized shotcrete, a construction technique that involves spraying concrete onto the bridge surface. While the material was wet, saw-cut wood boards were pressed onto the new concrete surface to replicate the historic concrete wood-board formwork pattern. After curing, the concrete was stained to match the original color.
Location
City of Minneapolis (Hennepin County)
Latitude, Longitude:
44.950985, -93.316653
Bridge features
Concrete construction material, with its smooth finish and indications of formwork, used in keeping with the Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners’ recommendation that bridges use concrete when stone facing was not available.
Classical Revival detailing, including parapets with recessed panels, recessed circle medallions, pilasters between panels, and detailing of pier surfaces.
Curved wingwalls and prominent coping and endposts.
Pier design and construction with three columns and wide, arched openings between columns, a design element incorporated in the bridge plans.