Bridge L8506
See features of the bridge
History and significance
Bridge L8506 is a two-span, reinforced-concrete, filled-spandrel, double-barrel vault, continuous arch bridge that was constructed in 1912. It carries Seven Bridges Road (also known as Snively Boulevard) over Amity Creek in Duluth, and was one of eight stone-faced bridges along the boulevard that were designed by the Minneapolis firm of Morell and Nichols. Four of the historic bridges, including this one, remain. Seven Bridges Road is a contributing segment of the Skyline Parkway Historic District and Bridge L8506 is significant as a contributing structure to the district.
Rehabilitation activities
In 2004 Bridge L8506 underwent a major rehabilitation where the entire bridge was repointed, the arches and walls were excavated and waterproofed, a drainage system was installed, the roadway was replaced, the railing and portions of the headwalls and wingwalls were re-built, the underside of the arch was repaired, and the pier base was encased in concrete. The south side of the pier and the southwest slope were scoured during the June 2012 flood event. A repair plan has been prepared and work to protect the abutments will be conducted in the summer of 2014.
Location
City of Duluth (St. Louis County)
Latitude, Longitude: 46.85945956, -92.01406472
Bridge features
Neoclassical architectural details found on the reinforced-concrete arch with rustic stone masonry headwalls, wingwalls, and railings. The bridge features Neoclassical stylistic treatment as seen in the defined abutment pilasters, a defined stringcourse separating the railing, and heavy stone caps atop the railing and pilasters.
Skyline Parkway setting. The bridge is located along the Seven Bridges Road, part of the National Register-eligible Skyline Parkway.