Small Bridge Near Target is SLP's Worst

The worst bridge in St. Louis Park, according to data from the National Bridge Inventory Database, is a small overpass that takes 37th Street traffic over the Minnehaha Creek and into the parking lot.

The 77-foot-long bridge—listed as bridge No. 27067 in the inventory—scores a 32.9 percent overall rating, relegating it to the "structurally deficient" category. The NBID states that the bridge "meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is."

The same was said about the Interstate 35W bridge, which collapsed five years ago today, killing 13. However, that bridge carried a much heavier traffic load then the small St. Louis Park bridge. In 2008, the National Transportation Safety Board announced that the I-35W bridge's steel gusset plates were undersized and inadequate to support the intended load of the bridge—a load which had increased over time.

City manager Tom Harmening said the 37th Street bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2018.

"This bridge is on our radar," he said in an email.

Three other St. Louis Park bridges are in the "structurally deficient" category. A Louisiana Avenue bridge over Minnehaha Creek near Park Nicollet scores a 55.7. The Minnetonka Boulevard bridge over Highway 100 scores a 63. And the Highway 7 bridge that goes over Highway 100 scores a 70.2.

All three meet or exceed the minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is.

• Read about other bridges in Minnesota Patch towns .
• Where were you when the bridge collapsed five years ago? Share your thoughts and memories .