The Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge, also known as the Bong Bridge, connects Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, via U.S. Highway 2 (US 2). Opened on October 25, 1985, it is roughly 11,800 feet (3,600 m) long, including about 8,300 feet (2,500 m) over water.[1] It crosses the Saint Louis Bay, which drains into Lake Superior. The bridge rises 120 feet above the river to accommodate maritime traffic in a 400-foot-wide navigation channel.[2] The Bong Bridge is one of two connecting Duluth and Superior. A through-arch bridge downstream from the Bong -- the John A. Blatnik Bridge -- carries Interstate 535 (I-535) over the water.
Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge
Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge from the Duluth, Minnesota hillside looking southwest toward Superior, Wisconsin and Billings Park
The bridge's namesake, Richard Ira Bong, was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II who was named the United States' all-time "Ace of Aces". The designer of the bridge was fellow World War II veteran Amardo J. "Marty" Romano.[3] The bridge was originally to be named Arrowhead Bridge, after the old wood trestle–bascule bridge it replaced.[4]
Construction on the bridge began in 1982, and it was opened on October 25, 1985.[2]
Tied arch spanning the main channel
The bridge is one of the largest public works projects undertaken by the state of Wisconsin. Ayres Associates, an architectural/engineering company based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, managed the project and designed the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) length of approach bridges. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation designed the channel span (tied arch). Its central suspension section is made of Japanese steel.[5]
In 2007, the Bong Bridge won a Wonders of Wisconsin Engineering Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies, Wisconsin Chapter, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary.[6]
Accident
The bridge was the scene of a 16-vehicle pile-up on January 27, 2005, in which 10 people were hospitalized and a baby was given an emergency delivery but subsequently died.[7]
^. Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012.
^(PDF). Newsletter. Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin. April 2008. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2011.
^"MPR: Major accident closes bridge between Duluth and Superior". Minnesota Public Radio. January 27, 2005. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
August 21, 2023
richard, bong, memorial, bridge, also, known, bong, bridge, connects, duluth, minnesota, superior, wisconsin, highway, opened, october, 1985, roughly, feet, long, including, about, feet, over, water, crosses, saint, louis, which, drains, into, lake, superior, . The Richard I Bong Memorial Bridge also known as the Bong Bridge connects Duluth Minnesota and Superior Wisconsin via U S Highway 2 US 2 Opened on October 25 1985 it is roughly 11 800 feet 3 600 m long including about 8 300 feet 2 500 m over water 1 It crosses the Saint Louis Bay which drains into Lake Superior The bridge rises 120 feet above the river to accommodate maritime traffic in a 400 foot wide navigation channel 2 The Bong Bridge is one of two connecting Duluth and Superior A through arch bridge downstream from the Bong the John A Blatnik Bridge carries Interstate 535 I 535 over the water Richard I Bong Memorial BridgeRichard I Bong Memorial Bridge from the Duluth Minnesota hillside looking southwest toward Superior Wisconsin and Billings ParkCoordinates46 43 53 N 92 08 38 W 46 73142 N 92 14376 W 46 73142 92 14376CarriesFour lanes of US 2CrossesSaint Louis BayLocaleDuluth MN and Superior WIMaintained byWisconsin Department of TransportationCharacteristicsDesignTied arch bridgeTotal length11 800 ft 3 600 m HistoryDesignerAmardo J RomanoOpenedOctober 25 1985Location Contents 1 History 2 Accident 3 See also 4 ReferencesHistory EditThe bridge s namesake Richard Ira Bong was a pilot in the U S Army Air Corps during World War II who was named the United States all time Ace of Aces The designer of the bridge was fellow World War II veteran Amardo J Marty Romano 3 The bridge was originally to be named Arrowhead Bridge after the old wood trestle bascule bridge it replaced 4 Construction on the bridge began in 1982 and it was opened on October 25 1985 2 Tied arch spanning the main channelThe bridge is one of the largest public works projects undertaken by the state of Wisconsin Ayres Associates an architectural engineering company based in Eau Claire Wisconsin managed the project and designed the 1 5 mile 2 4 km length of approach bridges The Wisconsin Department of Transportation designed the channel span tied arch Its central suspension section is made of Japanese steel 5 In 2007 the Bong Bridge won a Wonders of Wisconsin Engineering Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies Wisconsin Chapter which was celebrating its 50th anniversary 6 Accident EditThe bridge was the scene of a 16 vehicle pile up on January 27 2005 in which 10 people were hospitalized and a baby was given an emergency delivery but subsequently died 7 See also Edit Transport portal Engineering portalReferences Edit Bong Bridge facts Duluth News Tribune Retrieved April 25 2020 a b Weeks John Richard I Bong Memorial Bridge John Weeks Retrieved October 4 2021 Obituary for Amardo J Marty Romano Star Tribune Retrieved February 14 2023 Andrew Krueger February 19 2008 The late great Arrowhead Bridge News Tribune Attic Duluth News Tribune Roads and Bridges named in honor of Veterans and Military Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Archived from the original on October 5 2012 Wonders of Wisconsin Engineering PDF Newsletter Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin April 2008 p 5 Archived from the original PDF on July 28 2011 MPR Major accident closes bridge between Duluth and Superior Minnesota Public Radio January 27 2005 Retrieved August 25 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Richard I Bong Memorial Bridge amp oldid 1155819818, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
