Minnesota's historic bridges: preserve them or replace them?

Historic Kern Bridge stands unused near Mankato — The Kern Bridge still spans the Le Sueur River near Mankato. It was built in 1873. Called a "bow arch", it's the only bridge of its kind in Minnesota. It is now closed to all traffic.
From Wood, Concrete, Stone, and Steel. University of Minnesota Press.

In a state with as many rivers as Minnesota, bridges are a fact of life. And like many facts of life, they go largely ignored in our daily routine. That changed last August when one of Minnesota's busiest bridges fell into the river it spanned. And since then, two other bridges over the Mississippi River have been closed and another, in Hastings, is significantly restricted.

The haste with which governments are moving to replace these bridges is meant to reassure a nervous public. But a new book -- coming out this week -- argues for more reflection before tearing down Minnesota's oldest bridges. Denis Gardner's book, "Wood, Concrete, Stone and Steel" goes behind -- and beneath -- more than 200 of Minnesota's historic bridges to tell their stories.

Duluth lift bridge under construction in 1904 — The Duluth lift bridge was built to connect Minnesota Point to the city of Duluth after the city cut a canal between the harbor and Lake Superior. Originally, the bridge had a hanging gondola that carried people, goods and vehicles across the canal.
From Wood, Concrete, Stone, and Steel. University of Minnesota Press.

Gardner talked to Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Crann.

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The Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis in 1890 — James J. Hill was very proud of the Stone Arch Bridge, which the Great Northern Railway built in 1893. Unlike most other stone bridges, the arches are very large. The elegant curve makes it one of Minnesota's best-known landmarks.
From "Wood, Concrete, Stone, and Steel." University of Minnesota Press

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The Hastings Spiral Bridge ca. 1895 — One of Minnesota's most unusual bridges was the Hastings Spiral Bridge. Without this spiral design, vehicles crossing the bridge would have bypassed downtown businesses. The bridge was replaced in 1951.
From Wood, Concrete, Stone, and Steel. University of Minnesota Press.

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Minnesota's historic bridges: preserve them or replace them?

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