From St. Paul to Louisiana, Plans Abound For Mississippi Milestones
Mark Twains fictional Mississippi River rafters, Huckleberry Finn and Jim, would see quite a collection of bridges if they navigated that fabled waterway today. The river awaits landmark new crossings but construction now taking place covers a variety of methods and materials.
Many of the rivers 100-plus crossings are reaching the end of their design life and planners along the length of the river are investigating rehabilitation or replacements. Traffic, economic development and seismic retrofits are spurring the recent spate of work.