April open house will tackle French River bridge replacement

An open house to discuss a bridge reconstruction project over the French River is slated for 6-8 p.m., April 4 at French River Lutheran Church, 5310 Ryan Road, according to a St. Louis County news release Thursday.
The 98-year-old bridge where North Shore Scenic Drive (County State Aid Highway 61) crosses the French River, is scheduled for reconstruction in 2020. The open house will be used to discuss the project and answer questions with Rachel Gregg, bridge engineer with St. Louis County public works.
The project will include replacement of the bridge with a new concrete beam single span bridge. The existing bridge, built in 1921 and remodeled in 1951, is considered structurally deficient and requires load weight restrictions, the county said. The nearby wayside park also will see improvements as part of the project. The area has been affected by storms, and long-term sustainable erosion control solutions are being planned, the county said.
County engineers have been working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the North Shore Scenic Drive Council on the preliminary design of the bridge and wayside area; and with the North Shore Sanitary Sewer District and other utilities to make sure their utilities are accommodated in the design.
Anyone interested in learning more about the project who is unable to attend the open house can contact Gregg at greggr@stlouiscountymn.gov or 218-262-0174.