Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Winona Bridge project was selected as a Grand Award winner for the ACEC-MN Awards. A big congrats to MnDOT for this accomplishment!
The historic steel Mississippi River Bridge provides a vital link between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Originally built in 1942, its significance as a main arterial route over a major river crossing, along with its innovative design and engineering, made it eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
However, the historic bridge could no longer accommodate increasing traffic. The fast-tracked schedule to construct a new, complementary bridge allowed traffic to keep flowing while rehabilitation of the historic bridge occurred.
The project was delivered using the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) method, a first for MnDOT. Mead & Hunt provided construction administration services for both structures, and also gave guidance on the rehabilitation approach for the historic steel bridge. This bridge rehabilitation project modernized a major river crossing to meet future needs. Now, the two structures together meet traffic capacity needs and account for growth while still preserving the past for future generations to use and enjoy.
Congratulations again to everyone who worked to make this project a success! Your work enables the Mississippi River Bridge to continue to serve its community for years to come.