Explore the Eisenhower Bridge of Valor
The new Eisenhower Bridge of Valor opened to traffic on November 21, 2019 after nearly three years of construction.
Explore the project by clicking on the icons and buttons on the map. Watch video clips featuring different voices from around the region on topics ranging from bridge design to art, history and tourism.
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Let's Go!Video Library
Time-lapse
Bridge Story
A Bridge that Spans Mark Anway's Memories
New Bridge; New Name
Carlos Figi's Daily Commute
Two States, Two DOT's, and a Whole lot of Engineers
Art of the Bridge
Regional Impact - the Business of a Bridge
Hike, Bike, or Jog - Get Moving Across the Bridge
Preserving Our Past
Protecting Sacred Sites
Local Philanthropy Beautifies the Bridge for All
Construction on the Wisconsin Side
New Techniques Needed for the New Bridge
Four-Year Front Row Seat to the Bridge Build
Red Wing Bridge History
Every day an average of 13,300 vehicles use the Eisenhower Bridge of Valor (also known as the Red Wing Bridge) bridge to cross the Mississippi River. This bridge provides the only regional river crossing for approximately 30 miles upstream and downstream for communities on either side of the river. The new $63.4 million Eisenhower Bridge of Valor replaced the Eisenhower Memorial Bridge.
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Red Wing's Bridges
Whether it’s to obtain goods, services, or experiences, people have crossed the Mississippi River for centuries. Read how the Red Wing area river crossing has changed through the years.
Bridge Components
The new Eisenhower Bridge of Valor has two travel lanes, one in each direction, with wider shoulders and a 12-foot wide shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists on the upstream side of the bridge. Standing more than 70 feet above the Mississippi River, the new bridge features ornamental railings, decorative spires and other carefully chosen design elements that were chosen through a vigorous community engagement process.
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Bridge Components
A spire is a tall decorative structre that tapers towards the top. The Red Wing Bridge has four spires.
The bridge deck supports the driving surfaces, shared-use path and lighting.
A Tub Girder is a large, steel hollow beam that supports the bridge deck (driving surface) and resembles the shape of a bath tub. Four tub girders make up a set. Three side-by-side sets support the bridge deck.
The pounds-per-square-inch (psi) of the pier column concrete - the amount of force needed to break a material - is 4,000 psi. That’s nearly 100x strong than the water pressure you have at home!
The steel rebar in the under-water portion of one of the piers weighs 408,305 lbs. In comparison, the Statue of Liberty weighs 450,000 lbs!
The pier in the Mississippi River has four, 9-foot diameter shafts.
Construction and Demolition
The Eisenhower Memorial Bridge was “fracture critical,” meaning that if one fracture critical bridge section were to fail, the entire bridge could collapse. Following the I-35W Bridge collapse, the Minnesota Legislature established funding for rehabilitation or replacement of certain types of bridges around the state, including the Eisenhower Memorial Bridge.
More than just a new bridge...
The new Eisenhower Bridge of Valor maintains the important connection between Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition to replacing the bridge, we made ajdustments to the supporting infrastructure, including:
- Reconstructing Highway 63 on both sides of the Mississippi River.
- Improving connections to Highway 61 and Highway 58 in Red Wing.
- Creating better access to and from downtown Red Wing.
- Upgrading bicycle and pedestrian crossings.
The new Eisenhower Bridge of Valor was built next to the existing bridge to keep the river crossing open during construction.
Aerial view of the new button hook ramp connecting Highway 63 to Highway 61 in Red Wing.
Construction Timeline
Construction began in May 2017 and was completed in October 2020.
Construction Photos
Our team took some incredible photos of construction and demolition - take a look. Visit the Bridge Components page to learn more!
Demolition
Demolition of the former Eisenhower Memorial Bridge began shortly after the new bridge opened to traffic in November 2019. Piece by piece, the old bridge was dismantled.
Construction crews cut the old bridge into pieces and removed it from the project site. Some of the old concrete was crushed up and reused.
The steel truss over the river was disassembled and each piece lowered by crane onto a barge.
Crews removed the piers and bridge abutments with conventional breakers, or large jackhammer attachments on excavators.
On June 30, 2020, crews used explosive charges to remove Pier 2 to approximately 2 feet below the mud line in the river. Blasting mats were placed on the surface of the water to prevent any debris from flying up during this process. All debris was removed from the area before allowing nearby traffic on the water and on land to resume.
A 29-year Commute
Wisconsin resident, Carlos Figi, has commuted to Red Wing for 29 years. Hear how the new Eisenhower Bridge of Valor has changed his daily grind in the following video.
Art on the Bridge
While the Eisenhower Bridge of Valor is a work of art in the architectural and engineering sense, it's also going to be the home of 32 distinct pieces of art. Emily Guida Foos of Red Wing Arts explains where the art will go and the legacy it will leave for those who walk the bridge.
Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce
Approximately 13,000 vehicles cross the new Eisenhower Bridge of Valor every day; some for work, some for shopping, and some for play. Learn about the economic impact a bridge can make in the following video.
Goodhue County Historical Society
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We've come a long way since a ferry was used to cross the Mississippi River at Red Wing, but steps have been taken along the way to preserve our unique history. Check in the Goodhue County Historical Society in the following video to learn what's been preserved as we made way for the new Eisenhower Bridge of Valor.
Living Healthy Red Wing
Whether you hike, bike, or jog, the new pedestrian path across the Eisenhower Bridge of Valor will get you there safely while enjoying some of the best panoramic views of the Mississippi river and iconic bluffs.
City of Red Wing
Building a bridge this big is a massive endeavor involving partners across two states and multiple agencies. City Engineer, Jay Owens, describes his part in the four-year process and what the finished product brings to our region.
Project Office
Designing a bridge is difficult by any measure, but building one with tight approaches, active river and railroad tracks, and sinking roads in entirely another. MnDot Project Design Manager, Chad Hanson, explains some of the unique techniques used to build the Eisenhower Bridge of Valor.
Our Commitment to the Environment
Throughout construction, the Red Wing Bridge project team worked closely with local public and agency partners to monitor activities and protect the area's wildlife. From land to water to what’s flying overhead, there are an abundance of species that required our careful attention.
- During nesting season, we continuously monitored the bald eagles that call this area home, and their eaglets, to protect them from disruption.
- We limited tree trimming and removal to certain times of the year to protect the threatened northern long-eared bat.
- All live mussels are protected in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our efforts to minimize impacts included a mussel survey of the river bottom.
Tom Hughes Photography
Bridge Lighting
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The aesthetic lighting balances the needs of the river valley with those of the community and modern design. Light pollution is intentionally reduced to be minimally disruptive to the environment. The lighting ties into the ornamental railings. Lights on the pillars and “wash lighting” outlines the bridge shape on the upstream side and is visible from Levee Park, the river, and the Wisconsin shoreline.
What’s Left of the Old Bridge?
On June 30, 2020, crews used explosive charges to remove Pier 2 to approximately 2 feet below the mud line in the river. Blasting mats were placed on the surface of the water to prevent any debris from flying up during this process. All debris was removed from the area before allowing nearby traffic on the water and on land to resume.
He Mni Can - Barn Bluff
Many of Red Wing’s historic properties were monitored during construction, including Barn Bluff. The project team hired a vibration specialist from a geotechnical engineering firm to conduct a vibration sensitivity assessment of Barn Bluff. This assessment included a field condition survey and developing vibration limits for the area surrounding Barn Bluff. An initial pre-construction condition survey was completed in 2016, and a follow-up survey was done in spring 2017. These surveys included photos, video, and non-invasive testing to capture data. In addition, a vibration monitoring team was formed to supervise the construction vibration plan and to monitor vibration-producing activities to prevent Barn Bluff from excessive vibration exposure throughout the project.
The Eisenhower Bridge of Valor is built directly next to He Mni Can/Barn Bluff in Red Wing; a site of tremendous cultural significance and history to the Dakota People. Nicky Buck and Noah White speak about the collaboration with the Prairie Island Indian Community to protect this resource during construction and into the future.