Richard P. Braun Bridge

The Richard P. Braun Bridge is a road bridge that crosses the Mississippi River between Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids. It features two concrete girder structures with eight traffic lanes total, connecting Minnesota State Highway 252 to Highway 610.

The bridge first opened in 1985 with a single span for eastbound traffic before expanding in 1999 with a westbound section. This expansion doubled the crossing's capacity to serve the growing traffic demands of the Twin Cities area.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation named this infrastructure after Richard P. Braun, who served as Transportation Commissioner from 1979 to 1986.

The crossing sees heavy daily traffic from commuters and includes a dedicated walkway along its south side. This pedestrian path connects to trails on both riverbanks, making it useful for walkers and cyclists exploring the Mississippi River area.

Each directional span has a different width, with the westbound portion noticeably wider than the eastbound section. This asymmetrical design reflects how the bridge was adapted when traffic demands changed and expansion became necessary.

Location: Brooklyn Park

Location: Coon Rapids

Inception: 1985

Official opening: 1985

GPS coordinates: 45.12920,-93.29890

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:41