Sheldon L. Olds Bridge
Mississippi River Highway Crossing
Cohasset, MN

Itasca County Highway 62

• Structure ID: NBI 31510
• Location: River Mile 1189.2
• River Elevation: 1,273 Feet
• County: Itasca
• Highway: Itasca County Highway 62
• Daily Traffic Count: 720 (2001)
• Bridge Type: Concrete Girder
• Bridge Length: 303 Feet, 75 Foot Longest Span
• Bridge Width: 36 Feet, 2 Lanes
• Height Above Water: 10 Feet
• Date Built: 1971
The Itasca County Highway 62 bridge is another prestressed concrete girder bridge, common in these parts. This one features tubular steel pilings to form bridge piers. These pilings are driven into the riverbed, then they are cut off with their tops being level. A concrete cap is then placed on top of the pilings. This provides a base to support the girders. The advantage is far less disruption to the river. This type of pier is most often used when bedrock is too deep to use as a base for footings.

Prior to this modern bridge being built, the river crossing was served by a lift bridge. This section of the river was served by a steamship, so the bridges had to either move out of the way or be high enough for the steamer to go under the bridge. The lift bridge was built in 1904, and rebuilt in 1923.


Itasca County Highway 62
Itasca County Highway 62
Itasca County Highway 62
Itasca County Highway 62

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Photo and text by John A. Weeks III, Copyright © 2006, all rights reserved.
For further information, contact: john@johnweeks.com