St. Louis County
French River Bridge
Safer Passage & Beautiful Views
The project included replacement of the existing 99-year-old, 5-span, open spandrel arch bridge with a single-span prestressed beam structure featuring a 6,800-square-foot bridge deck, with an emphasis on aesthetics.
Along with the bridge replacement, a cast-in-place concrete retaining wall was built along the shore of Lake Superior to allow for expansion and improvements of the old wayside facility.
An ADA accessible interpretive wall and overlook structure were created near the mouth of the French River to document the area’s rich fisheries legacy, and sanitary and storm sewer upgrades were made to protect Lake Superior’s water quality. The nearly 900-foot-long construction project opened to traffic in 2020.
The project improved entry and drainage for the DNR Hatchery Facility. A 22-foot-high retaining wall lined with boulders helps preserve the shoreline.
LHB and subconsultant AFLA designed a new wayside rest as well as interpretive facilities that document the history of the scenic North Shore commercial fishery.
A special crane was required to help set the beams for the bridge.
