Old Lowry bridge closing permanently Friday April 25 due to structural issues. (Marshall: 2011, crime)

[Thegonagle]

This afternoon, and tomorrow morning is your last chance to hear this classic bridge's song. This 50's era through-truss bridge, with it's "singing" deck made out of a see-through steel grate, is closing permanently Friday at 10 AM.

The current bridge was built in the 50's on piers that were originally constructed in 1905. One of those century-old piers is no longer stable, having shifted almost a foot in the past several years.

I'm going to miss this bridge. I always thought it was fun to look down through the deck and be able see the water beneath you.

I'm going to try to take some final pictures tomorrow morning.

Story: Say goodbye to another bridge: Lowry closing Friday
Other link: Welcome to the Lowry Avenue Bridge Website

There's talk of building a cable-stayed bridge (a type of suspension bridge), or through-arch bridge (similar to the Robert St bridge over the Mississippi, or the Hwy 77 bridges over the Minnesota river) to replace it. However, with the economy as it is, I wouldn't be surprised if they just build a plain-looking beam bridge.

[Slig]

I thought it was kind of scary crossing it personally. As long as they replace it quickly I'll be happy.

[Thegonagle]

Although they're closing the bridge earlier than planned, they haven't moved the replacement schedule up yet. They're still talking late 2011 for completion. Yikes!

I hope they can speed it up a little. 3 1/2 years will be a long time to be without it.

[kuan]

Didn't they close this in 2001 or something?

[JenLee]

I love that "singing" bridge!

I'll miss it.

[nick is rulz]

Crime in Marshall Terrace and Bottineau will drop fairly significantly when this happens, mark my words.

[Big G]

Crossing that bridge scared the bejeezus out of me back in the early 80s. I can't believe it wasn't replaced 20 years ago. Open-grid bridges like that were cheap when they were built and are ancient relics today. Good riddance.

[Lereca]

Originally Posted by Thegonagle

This afternoon, and tomorrow morning is your last chance to hear this classic bridge's song. This 50's era through-truss bridge, with it's "singing" deck made out of a see-through steel grate, is closing permanently Friday at 10 AM.

The current bridge was built in the 50's on piers that were originally constructed in 1905. One of those century-old piers is no longer stable, having shifted almost a foot in the past several years.

I'm going to miss this bridge. I always thought it was fun to look down through the deck and be able see the water beneath you.

I'm going to try to take some final pictures tomorrow morning.

Story: Say goodbye to another bridge: Lowry closing Friday
Other link: Welcome to the Lowry Avenue Bridge Website

There's talk of building a cable-stayed bridge (a type of suspension bridge), or through-arch bridge (similar to the Robert St bridge over the Mississippi, or the Hwy 77 bridges over the Minnesota river) to replace it. However, with the economy as it is, I wouldn't be surprised if they just build a plain-looking beam bridge.

I thought the bridge was scary when I was younger. My grandparents had a major accident on that bridge in the 60's,they said it used to get real icy and slippery in the winter. The tires were probably not so good back then. MnDot should close and replace every older bridge after last summer.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Most of the older bridges are just as good as the new ones they build. Age doesn't collapse a bridge, deferred maintenence does. I would be just fine driving the Stone Arch, even 1000 years from now.

[Lereca]

Originally Posted by Minnehahapolitan

Most of the older bridges are just as good as the new ones they build. Age doesn't collapse a bridge, deferred maintenence does. I would be just fine driving the Stone Arch, even 1000 years from now.

Well I hope they start doing more detailed inspections of those bridges. I'm sure the collapse is in the back of most peoples minds, who drive those bridges on a daily basis.