The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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    Hwy 99 bridge

June 18, 2008

Retiring a historic bridge

Hwy 99 bridge may be put to recreational use

Brian Ojanpa

ST PETER — In its next life, the historic but deteriorated Highway 99 bridge over the Minnesota River at St. Peter could move 500 feet to become a hiking and biking span.

Because it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is obligated to either rehabilitate or relocate the bridge.

St. Peter Public Works Director Lew Giesking said MnDOT contacted him to gauge the city’s interest in the 77-year-old structure.

“It would make a nice amenity to our park system. We thought a lot of people would take advantage of it for hiking and biking.”

The truss span, which recently underwent a state inspection, is one of 30 in the state listed as “fracture critical” bridges.

No specific timetable has been set for its removal, though it’s expected to come within the next eight to 10 years.

Giesking said St. Peter’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board considered several relocation options before settling upon a proposed site spanning the Minnesota River just southeast of the bridge’s existing location.

Giesking said utilizing the Highway 99 structure would dovetail with the city’s trail system master plan, which calls for a bridge crossing over the river.

MnDOT would be responsible for refurbishing and relocating the bridge. The building of its replacement would take one construction season.

Giesking said the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would have to give their approvals before relocation could take place.

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