Main Channel Bridge (Winona)

Main Channel Bridge
Coordinates 44°3′27.0″N 91°38′23.5″W / 44.057500°N 91.639861°W / 44.057500; -91.639861Coordinates: 44°3′27.0″N 91°38′23.5″W / 44.057500°N 91.639861°W / 44.057500; -91.639861
Crosses Mississippi River
Owner Minnesota Department of Transportation
Characteristics
Design Steel cantilever bridge
Total length 2,288 Feet
Width 31 Feet, 2 Lanes
Longest span 138 m
History
Construction begin 1941
Construction end November 1942
Opened November 21, 1942

Main Channel Bridge (Winona) is a cantilever bridge that spans the main channel of the Mississippi River in the United States between Winona, Minnesota and Latsch Island. Another bridge, the North Channel Bridge, connects the island to rural Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Construction on the Main Channel Bridge was started just before the U.S. entered World War II, and the construction was hastened to finish in November 1942, despite labor shortages, difficulty obtaining materials, and high water. It was built in 1941-1942 by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).

On May 17, 2008, the United States Postal Service announced that the bridge would be on the Minnesota sesquicentennial commemorative stamp.[1]

Following an inspection of the bridge's gusset plates, it was announced by MnDOT that the bridge would close June 3, 2008. Gusset plates were the components suspected in the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge. The bridge was expected to be closed for several weeks with over 60-mile-long (97 km) detours as an alternative.[2] The bridge reopened on June 14, 2008. after considering a number of alternatives, including just fixing The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced on August 23, 2012 they had approved plans to replace the bridge with two new two-lane bridges.[3] A meeting was held on September 27 to discuss plans for the project and construction of a new bridge is scheduled to begin sometime in late 2014. The existing bridge will be rebuilt and strengthened so that it can be used for many more years to come.[4]

New Winona Bridge under construction
Historical "wagon bridge" at Winona. (1892)

See also

References

  1. ↑ United States Postal Service. Minnesota’s Sesquicentennial Honored. May 16, 2008.
  2. ↑ Winona bridge over Mississippi River closed. Star Tribune. June 3, 2008.
  3. ↑ MnDOT recommends second Mississippi River bridge in Winona. Pioneer Press. August 24, 2012
  4. ↑ Public meeting Sept. 27 on bridge plan. Winona Daily Times. September 12, 2012
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