Centennial Bridge (Bridge 5270)
See features of the bridge
History and significance
The Centennial Bridge (Bridge 5270) carries Center Avenue over 3rd Street and the Red River of the North between Moorhead, Clay County, Minnesota, and Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. Built in 1938 under a joint effort between the Minnesota and North Dakota Highway Departments, it is also known as the Center Avenue Bridge in Moorhead and the Northern Pacific Avenue Bridge in Fargo. The overall structure length is 855 feet, with the longest span measuring approximately 100 feet. It is comprised of 13 riveted plate-girder spans resting on 11 steel bents, three concrete piers, and concrete abutments. The bridge employs notable engineering features to accommodate shifting underlying soils beneath the structure that are unique to the Red River of the North.
Owned by the City of Moorhead, it is significant as an important connection between Moorhead and Fargo and for its unique engineering to meet unusual site conditions.
Location
City of Moorhead (Clay County)
Latitude, Longitude:
46.875079, -96.776226
Bridge features
Unique assembly system to counter shifting soils.
Rocker bearings to facilitate movement of the bridge.
The bridge location between Moorhead and Fargo over the Red River, which served as an important transcontinental route and crossing between the communities.