Waterford Bridge Rehabilitation
The Waterford Bridge, also known as Bridge L3275, is a historic structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It was closed in 2018 due to safety concerns. Built in 1909, the bridge spans the Cannon River in rural Waterford Township, Dakota County. It has a 140-foot steel Camelback truss supported by concrete abutments. The restoration project aimed to make the bridge a safe crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists while preserving its historical significance for the Waterford community.
The City of Northfield received State bonding for 6 miles of the Mill Towns Trail, which stretches through Northfield and out to the Waterford Bridge. With the Waterford Bridge restored the City of Northfield will build a trail connecting to it. Dakota County is also engineering plans for a bike path connecting Lake Byllesby Regional Park to the Waterford Bridge, creating a continuous trail network. This project will enable future generations to walk and bike across the historic and scenic Cannon River.
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Visit https://www.mnhs.org/preservation/legacy-grants/advisory-committee
$5,846,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $7,004,000 in fiscal year 2021 are for statewide historic and cultural grants to local, county, regional, or other historical or cultural organizations or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources. Money must be distributed through a competitive grant process. The Minnesota Historical Society must administer the money using established grant mechanisms, with assistance from the advisory committee created under Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 4, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), item (ii).
Available upon request. grants@mnhs.org
Available upon request, grants@mnhs.org