Bloomington Ferry Bridge

Bloomington Ferry Bridge is a road structure that spans the Minnesota River and carries U.S. Route 169 traffic between two neighboring municipalities. The bridge connects transportation routes across the river with a direct passage for vehicles moving between counties.

A river crossing has existed at this location since 1849, when ferry service first operated at this site. The first bridge was built in 1889 to replace the ferrying system.

This structure represents how Minnesota communities shifted from relying on ferries to using modern highway connections for daily travel. The crossing embodies the evolution of local transportation methods that shaped how people move between regions.

The structure provides a straightforward crossing for vehicles following the main route between the two counties. The passage is most convenient during off-peak hours when traffic is lighter and movement is smoother.

The current crossing was built in 1996 at a location slightly upstream from the original site to avoid flooding problems that had damaged earlier structures. This relocation made the route safer during periods of high water.