Historic Bridges of the U.S.

Overview

Post comment

Contact webmaster

On this page: Photos · Map · Facts · Categories · Update Log · Sources · Comments

Photos

< Previous (1 of 16) Next >

Entering the bridge from the north

The first five photos were taken by Birgit while I was driving. I did slow down to allow her to get some quality shots.

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (2 of 16) Next >

East approach

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (3 of 16) Next >

On the bridge

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (4 of 16) Next >

Portal bracing view

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (5 of 16) Next >

Inside the bridge

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (6 of 16) Next >

Oblique view from the Hastings side

These pictures were taken while on foot

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (7 of 16) Next >

Side view of the bridge

This was taken from a nearby park

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (8 of 16) Next >

Close-up of west approach

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (9 of 16) Next >

Close-up of east approach

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (10 of 16) Next >

side view from the park with bench in front

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (11 of 16) Next >

angle view of the bridge from down below on the NW side

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (12 of 16) Next >

Underneath the bridge

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (13 of 16) Next >

View of the bridge from the SW end

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (14 of 16) Next >

close-up of the east portal

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (15 of 16) Next >

Plaque of the Spiral Bridge

This bridge replaced the Hastings Spiral Bridge, which was unique for its spiral west approach. The main span was of a Parker design. Because of the increase in vehicular traffic and lack of funds to save the bridge, it was subsequentially demolished as soon as the new bridge was opened to traffic.

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

< Previous (16 of 16) Next >

Remaining abutment of the Spiral Bridge

Photo taken by Jason and Birgit Smith in December 2007

View high-res version

Map

Vicinity map

Map links:

Facts

Overview: Steel through arch bridge over the Mississippi River on US 61 in Hastings
Location: Dakota County, Minnesota
Status: Open to traffic
History: Built 1951
Design: Steel through arch
Dimensions: Length of largest span: 514.1 ft.
Total length: 1,857.4 ft.
Deck width: 32.2 ft.
Vertical clearance above deck: 14.8 ft.
Approximate latitude, longitude: +44.74694, -92.85250 (decimal degrees)
44°44'49" N, 92°51'09" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates: 15/511676/4954850 (zone/easting/northing)
USGS topographic map: Hastings
Inventory numbers: MN 5895 (Minnesota bridge number)
BH 20351 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Inspection
Average daily traffic (as of 1972): 200

Update Log

February 21, 2008: Updated by James Baughn
February 4, 2008: New photos from Jason Smith

Sources

James Baughn - webmaster [at] bridgehunter [dot] com

Post a comment here · Contact webmaster

Comments

Hastings Bridge

Posted February 22, 2008, by Lugnuts (lugnuts969 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net)

This public domain image shows the Spiral Bridge on a postcard from the era. This was the only spiral bridge built in the United States - two others reportedly were built in Europe. There is a high bluff on the north side of the Mississippi River. This requires a long approach from the south in order to span the river at proper height and reach the bluff. The spiral allowed the bridge to terminate in downtown Hastings.

Drivers would enter the bridge in Hastings and make one complete circle before crossing the bridge. As it reached the end of its useful life, it was limited to 4 tons. After the new bridge was built, the city of Hastings did not have funds to restore and maintain the bridge, so it was lost.

The citizens of Hastings felt they lost a great landmark, and a replica has been built in a nearby park.