Robert Street Bridge (Bridge 9036)
See features of the bridge
History and significance
The Robert Street Bridge, built in 1926, carries Robert Street over the Mississippi River in downtown Saint Paul, Ramsey County. It has eight reinforced-concrete-arch main spans and nine prestressed-concrete-beam approach spans. The main spans include three open-spandrel barrel arches, four open-spandrel rib arches, and a rib through-arch (rainbow arch) over the navigation channel. The massive ribs of the rainbow arch give the bridge its identifiable profile and provide a gateway for motorists entering downtown Saint Paul. Because of its prominent urban location it received architectural detailing in the Moderne style. Minnesota architect Roy Childs Jones used architectural details to add highlighting and shadows to the bridge creating an overall stylistic effect, including the 12 large, concrete medallions mounted on the piers, floor-beam ends, and bronze dedication plaques. The bridge is significant for its series of reinforced-concrete arches and, in particular, its massive rainbow arch ribs that rise 30 feet above the roadway, and the overall design aesthetic.
Location
City of Saint Paul (Ramsey County)
Latitude, Longitude:
44.94409877, -93.08750358
Bridge features
Rainbow arch ribs that rise 30 feet above the roadway.
Moderne architectural detailing on the bridge pier.