by Concordia College students in History 112HU, Fall 2016
The Main Avenue Bridge: Then and Now
Introduction
Transportation in America has changed drastically throughout the last 100 years. During this time, modes of transportation have evolved to integrate new technology and fit the lifestyles of people living in various places. After World War II, the automobile and airlines took higher shares of transport, reducing rail and water to freight and short-haul passenger services. Cars progressed from a luxury that few could afford, to many families having multiple vehicles. In response to the increased use of automobiles, the Federal Highway System was built connecting the entire United States with roadways and bridges making travel efficient and pleasant. With years of constant and increasing use, it is natural that the existing infrastructure throughout the country would need repairs and updating.
The Fargo-Moorhead Main Avenue Bridge was initially built in the 1936. At this time, the population of the Fargo-Moorhead Area was approximately 75,000.[1] In the early 2000s when the bridge was renovated, the population had increased to approximately 175,000 and was still growing rapidly.[2] Recent flooding in the Red River Valley, especially the flood of 1997, showed the vulnerability of the bridge and all bridges in the region. At this same time, research was being conducted to explore the nature and causes of bridge failures throughout the country. Results showed that flooding was an especially significant source of stress on the structures of bridges. The data also revealed which bridge designs were most effective. Photographs from this bridge before and after renovation were taken to examine the differences that arose.
Thesis
The Main Avenue Bridge connecting Moorhead, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota was updated in the early 2000s because of increases in traffic, major flooding, and advancements in technology.
Background
The Main Avenue Bridge is one of the main connections between the cities of Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota which are separated by the Red River of the North. This bridge is the primary connection between the downtowns of the two cities and one of only six bridges that connect Minnesota and North Dakota within city limits. Consequently, there is a significant amount of traffic on it every single day. Additionally, the Red River has experienced 7 major floods over the past 20 years causing tremendous stress on the structure of the bridge. As SRF Consulting, the firm responsible for the bridge replacement has explained, “A combination of geometric, structural and flooding issues led MnDOT and NDDOT to consider replacing the bridge.”[3]
Bridge Safety Research
Bridge failure is a dangerous and realistic possibility for the thousands of Americans who travel on bridges each day during their commute to work, school, or leisure. The average life span for a highway bridge is 70 years.[4] After that time most bridges need significant repair or replacement. Recognizing the vulnerability of our nation’s infrastructure due to the age of roads and bridges, the department of transportation has dedicated resources to studying its safety. In a study of more than five hundred bridge structure failures between 1989 and 2000, scholars Kumalasari Wardhana and Fabian C. Hadipriono found that: “the age of the failed bridges ranged from 1 year to 157 years, with an average age of 52.5 years. The most frequent causes of bridge failures were attributed to floods and collisions.”[5] Through examination of this data, George C. Lee and Ernest Sternberg proposed a new system based on reevaluation of standards. They suggested closer monitoring of bridge stresses, measures to avoid exceptional stresses, and learning from minor issues.[6] Noticing there was a possibility for failure, city leaders from Fargo and Moorhead took the initiative to secure funding and proactively replace the Main Avenue Bridge before a serious problem could occur.
The creation of the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge
The original bridge on Main Avenue between Fargo and Moorhead was built in 1936. In the early 2000s, a project was undertaken to update the bridge for safety and increased capacity. The bridge officially reopened to traffic as the Veteran’s Memorial bridge in the fall of 2004.[7] The initial picture (above) of the Main Avenue Bridge was taken in the 1970s, and shows the bridge much as it appeared in 1936. The re-photograph was taken on Monday October 24, 2016, depicting the new Veteran’s Memorial Bridge as it looks in the early twenty-first century.
There are many distinct differences in these images, and they show the progress that has been made for the infrastructure in the city. The riverbanks are cleaner and have bike paths and walkways along them. There are new buildings in the background of the re-photograph showing advances within the cities. But most importantly, the biggest difference is simply the new bridge itself. The new bridge is wider for better traffic flow and higher for safety during the flood season, there is more space for pedestrians on the sidewalks, and for increased beauty, there is a monument to American Military Veterans.
While some of these differences indicate changes in leisure activities, the most important difference arises from infrastructural concerns. Based upon many of the same thoughts and concerns present in the study by Kumalasari Wardhana and Fabian C. Hadipriono, the cities of Fargo and Moorhead decided to act before any failure could occur. When asked why there was a need for the project, Mark Bittner, Fargo city engineer said, “The old bridge, built in 1936, was too narrow for today's traffic demands and not high enough above the flood plain.”[8]
Conclusion
Responding proactively to increase in traffic, the stress caused by flooding, and the advances in technology, the Fargo-Moorhead community was able to update the Main Avenue Bridge in a timely fashion that allowed cars to cross in a safer and more efficient manner and provided a beautiful space the citizens of Fargo Moorhead can view with pride.
[1] Wikipedia, 2016, Wikimedia Foundation, “Fargo–Moorhead,” accessed November 30, 2016, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fargo-Moorhead.
[2] Ibid.
[3] SRF Consulting Group, 2016, “Fargo-Moorhead Main Avenue Bridge over the Red River,” accessed November 30, 2016, http://www.srfconsulting.com/news/projects/fargo-moorhead-main-avenue-over-the-red-river/.
[4] “Bridge Inspection,” Accessed November 30, 2016, https://www.nde-ed.org/AboutNDT/SelectedApplications/Bridge_Inspection/Bridge_Inspection.htm.
[5] Kumalasari Wardhana and Fabian C. Hadipriono, "Analysis of Recent Bridge Failures in the United States," Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities 17, no. 3 (August 2003):144. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3828(2003)17:3.
[6] George C Lee and Ernest Sternberg, "A New System for Preventing Bridge Collapses," Issues in Science & Technology 24, no. 3 (Spring 2008): 31. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed December 6, 2016).
[7] Mike Nowatzki, Main Avenue Bridge Nears Completion, (Forum Communications Company), September 13, 2004, https://www.inforum.com/content/main-avenue-bridge-nears-completion.
[8] Ibid.