Original bridge was completed in December, 1964. It was 4 lanes wide with minimal shoulder. Bridge was largely unused given that I-35E did not connect to freeways on either end until the mid-1980's (and not until the early 1990's on the north end). The bridge deteriorated unexpectedly fast, and a new bridge was needed by the late 1990's. Local NIMBY (not in my back yard) groups proposed a single 2-lane span to reduce traffic coming into St. Paul. MN-DOT wanted a modern 6-lane bridge. Community groups suggested a 4-lane compromise. The courts finally threw the NIMBY lawsuits out, and a full 6-lane bridge was built, 2 through lanes in each direction plus one local lane in each direction.

The construction of the new bridge was an impressive project. The new bridge was constructed in the same place as the old bridge, while keeping 4 lanes of traffic open at all times. A new span was built just south of the old bridge. When it was ready, northbound traffic was routed over that span. The old south span was then tore down, and a new span put in its place. All 4 lanes were now on the new bridge, which allowed the old north span to be tore down and replaced. Once all 6 lanes of the new span was built, traffic was moved to the outside lanes to allow the center divider to be built.