College Avenue is the southernmost of five Mississippi River crossings in the small town of Brainerd. The road gets its name from Central Lakes College. The college is a merger between a local community college and a regional technical school. After they merged, they became one of the 32 institutions that make up the Minnesota State College and University system. This facility is a huge asset to the Brainerd Lakes area.

The east side of the river is home to the Kiwanis Park. The park features a fishing pier and boat ramp. The fishing pier makes a great place to view the College Ave Bridge. The mid-river viewing location makes an otherwise routine concrete girder bridge all that more exciting.