Swing Bridge Reopens For Season

The has reopened for the season.

In a press release, Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation Director Eric Carlson said the bridge—a rare double-deck railroad/auto bridge built in 1894 that reopened as a recreational pier last year—opened for this year’s outdoor recreation season on Friday.

It had been closed for the winter since last December.

Regarding the year ahead for the repurposed 670-foot-long bridge, Carlson said it may close periodically between April and June because of the 66th Street reconstruction project.

“The construction project includes the resurfacing of 66th Street, the extension of water and sewer for a future Dakota County Trailhead restroom facility, off-street parking and trail connections,” Carlson said in the press release.

Information about bridge closures will be available on the city’s website throughout the spring.

The swing bridge has been in the news recently. Last month, the Minnesota Historical Society donated $6,990 to help pay for historical research about the bridge.

The City of Inver Grove Heights and the Dakota County Historical Society will conduct research and collect materials from public and private collections, and oral history about swing bridge, Carlson said in a last month.

The bridge is one portion of what is expected to become the new Heritage Village Park along the Mississippi River.

Last month, the city decided to build parking spaces, restrooms, paved roads and other amenities to make the 80-acre park more accessible to the public.

The park will be connected to the Mississippi River Regional Trail, a 26-mile paved trail between St. Paul and Hastings.

A board detailing the history and the rehabilitation of the swing bridge currently is on display at .

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