By MaryHelen Swanson

With the tragedy in Minneapolis, there are natural concerns for bridges all around the state.

North Branch City Engineer Julie Dresel provided the following information about local bridges. She noted that there are several bridges in the city of North Branch. Each bridge is the responsibility of a certain agency.

The responsible agency, Dresel said, conducts periodic inspections of their bridges and reports to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT).

The city of North Branch bridges are inspected every two years. The next inspection is scheduled for fall 2007. The TH 95 bridge over I-35 is also inspected every two years, Dresel noted.

Following is the information about the local bridges:

The TH 95 Bridge over I-35 is under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota.
bridge type: prestressed concrete beam
last inspected: June 2006
sufficiency rating: 76.6
year constructed: 1967

Bridges under the jurisdiction of the city of North Branch are:

• Bridge Road over the Sunrise River
bridge type: concrete box culvert
last inspected: August 2005
sufficiency rating: 97.0
year constructed: 1924

• 8th Avenue over the Sunrise River
bridge type: prestressed concrete beam
last inspected: August 2005
sufficiency rating: 90.3
year constructed: 1991

• Flink Avenue over the Sunrise River
bridge type: concrete arch pipe culvert
last inspected: August 2005
sufficiency rating: 98.7
year constructed: 1969

Mayor Gloria Karsky commented, "It is important to note that inspections of the Hwy. 95 bridge over I-35 do not fall under the jurisdiction of North Branch, but instead is inspected by MnDOT.  However, we are aware of these inspection reports and include the information provided by MnDOT."

She continued, "We continue to work hard to secure funding for the renovation and expansion of the Hwy. 95 bridge in North Branch. The bridge is listed as "functionally obsolete," meaning that the bridge is structurally sound, but no longer meets the traffic volume and movement requirements for the City and the region.

"The City has worked for over 10 years to obtain the necessary funding for expanding and renovating this bridge. Last week, our Rep.Jim Oberstar, lead the way for the House of Representatives to pass a technical corrections bill, amending SAFE-TEA, the federal legislation that provided the federal funds for this bridge project. However, the Senate did not take action on this bill before its August recess. Hopefully, the technical corrections bill will be taken up by the Senate when it returns to session this fall. In addition to federal funding, the City is also continuing to work with our state legislators and Mn/DOT to secure additional funding from the state of Minnesota."

Comment from rick weispfennig, 8/13/07

I notice when I drive on the hwy. 95 bridge that pieces of concrete are missing from the guard rails. I do not pass under the bridge very often however this concerns me asto the safty of the passing motorists that do. will they be hit by falling concrete? Also does this weaken the structure as a whole?