The Hastings High Bridge is the second automobile bridge to cross the river in this area. The first was the famous Hastings Spiral Bridge, which was built for wagon traffic in the 19th century.
Time may be catching up with this structure, too. Hastings is now part of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, and US-61 is now a 4-lane 65-MPH expressway and freeway starting at the north end of the bridge. The new bridge is lacking in capacity, and the structure has deteriorated a bit, so talk is underway about replacing the High Bridge, one of the most graceful Mississippi River crossings in the upper river section.
Update—as of Spring 2008, MN-DOT has determined that the Hastings High Bridge is at the end of its life. The bridge has structural problems that are no longer ecomonically feasible to fix. This includes a lot of rust, and a strcuture that has shifted enough to shear off bolts. The bridge has been given a very high priority for replacement, perhaps third in line for major bridges after the DeSoto Bridge and Lowry Bridge. In the Summer of 2008, MN-DOT is running a stop-gap project to try to extend the life span of the bridge a few years. During construction, the bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Traffic lights will allow groups of cars to cross the bridge in alternating directions. The bottom photo is one of many signs placed around the metro area to encourage people to seek alternate routes.
