Interlachen Bridge

Summary

The Interlachen Bridge is a reinforced concrete arch bridge on William Berry Parkway between Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The bridge crosses the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, a heritage streetcar line operated by the Minnesota Streetcar Museum which follows the same right-of-way as the original Twin Cities Rapid Transit line of the same name. The bridge was designed by local builder William S. Hewett. The bridge is one of the most significant bridges in Minnesota because it is the earliest known extant concrete bridge with a documented construction date.[2] The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 6, 1989, as part of the Reinforced-Concrete Highway Bridges in Minnesota MPS.[3]

Interlachen Bridge
Coordinates44°55′53″N 93°18′31″W / 44.93139°N 93.30861°W / 44.93139; -93.30861
CarriesTwo lanes of William Berry Parkway
CrossesThe Como-Harriet Streetcar Line a former Twin City Rapid Transit streetcar line now operated by the Minnesota Streetcar Museum
LocaleMinneapolis, Minnesota
Maintained byMinneapolis Park Board
Characteristics
DesignConcrete arch using the Melan reinforcement system[1]
Total length40 feet
Width63 feet
Longest span38.6 feet
Clearance below16 feet
History
Opened1900
Location
Map

The Interlachen Bridge was based on the Melan reinforcing system, invented by Viennese engineer Josef Melan and patented in the United States in 1894.

References edit

  1. ^ "Interlachen Bridge - Description". Minnesota Historical Society. 1996. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
  2. ^ "Interlachen Bridge - Historic Significance". Minnesota Historical Society. 1996. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
  3. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.