Sauk River Bridge Reconstruction Set to Begin November 27th, Prompting Detour Dilemma

(KNSI) – A dilapidated bridge over the Sauk River will be replaced starting November 27th, leading to a six to eight mile detour between Waite Park and St. Joseph.

Bridge 6819 crosses the river on County Road 75 just west of 28th Avenue near Mills Fleet Farm and Woods Farmer Seed & Nursery. It was highlighted for replacement in July of 2021 after Stearns County showed the structure’s wear and tear to Congressman Tom Emmer.

Crews will start by building a temporary median crossover to provide access for Opie’s Gold and Modern Barnyard, just west of the site. Once the crossover is completed, the road will be detoured so bridge removal can begin. This work is anticipated to last through the end of June 2024. Around 25,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day. Around 15% of them are commercial vehicles.

Originally built in 1954, officials say the deck has exposed rebar and reinforcement steel underneath is eroding because of exposure to moisture. There is crumbling concrete on the underside, which is also falling off along the support piers and the abutments. The bridge’s bearings, which prevent lateral movement, avoid uplift and allow the span to function in extreme temperatures, are frozen because of pack rust.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation rates bridges on a score of 1 to 100, with anything below a score of 60 rated as deficient. The span was given a score of 48.

See the detour maps by clicking here.

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