Meadowlands Trunk Bridge
CR-741 St. Louis River Highway Crossing
Meadowlands, MN

Meadowlands Trunk Bridge

• Structure ID: NBI 69539
• Location: River Mile 89.0
• River Elevation: 1,238 Feet
• Highways: CR-741
• Daily Traffic Count: 65 (2003)
• Bridge Type: Prestressed Concrete Girder, Concrete Deck
• Bridge Length: 328 Feet, ??? Foot Longest Span
• Bridge Width: 28 Feet, 2 Lanes
• Navigation Channel Width: Non-Navigable
• Height Above Water: ??? Feet
• Date Built: 1990
The Meadowlands Trunk Bridge is located in a remote area of St. Louis County that is north of the farming area but south of the Iron Range. Given that it is so remote, it is surprising to find Schneiderman’s Furniture home store located only a mile from this bridge.

Schneiderman worked in the steel mill for years. He left the mill to take over a rundown general store located on a dirt road a few miles from the Meadowlands. The store caught a big break when Schneiderman was able to purchase the inventory of a failed hardware store. That allowed them to sell top quality plumbing and electrical supplies for a price that other stores in the region could not approach. Later, Schneiderman bought the inventory of a furniture factory that was closing down. This was their entry into the furniture business. By the end of the 1960s, they were selling only furniture. Despite being in a remote area, having no sales events, not advertising, and being on a dirt road that was impassible in spring, the store continued to thrive and expand. That run of 20 years had a pause when both the farming and iron business pulled back in the early 1980s. The Schneiderman children, who were now running the business, responded by opening a store in Duluth, followed by 5 stores in the twin cities. Today, Schneiderman is associated with Thomasville, and is known for selling top quality furniture for reasonable prices, supported by excellent service.

The bridge is a fairly routine prestressed concrete girder bridge. It is the modern style with a reinforced concrete deck and slanted guardrails. The one unusual feature of the bridge is that it has two different pier styles. The piers near the river are large reinforced concrete T-piers, while the pier that is located on firm ground is simply a series of pipes driven home by a pile driver.


Meadowlands Trunk Bridge
Meadowlands Trunk Bridge
Meadowlands Trunk Bridge

Home  Return To St. Louis River Structures Home Page
Photo and text by John A. Weeks III, Copyright © 2008, all rights reserved.
For further information, contact: john@johnweeks.com