The I35E Bridge over Maryland Avenue in St Paul

On Saturday, August 18, 2012, Karen, the Boss, and I were on the corner of Mississippi Street and Jessamine Avenue in St. Paul.  A small group had gathered there to watch the installation of the Maryland Avenue bridge.  What made this a special event was that the bridge had been previously constructed on a lot adjacent to the freeway and was being moved into position by a self-propelled bridge hauler.  We spent a very enjoyable and informative two hours watching MNDOT move the bridge into position while chatting with the small contingent of St. Paul residents that had turned out to observe the whole operation.
The bridge had been under construction for several weeks and we were very keen to know just how it would be moved to the Maryland Avenue site.  A lot of wheels were sure to be involved but we were unsure about the details of the procedure.
The day before, after goofing off at an estate sale in Minneapolis, we passed the bridge site on the way back to Karen's place.  As we passed, Karen very excitedly exclaimed, "Did you see all those wheels?"  We very nearly had to go back around to have another look!  In fact, the Boss and I did take another look on our way home later in the day.  We could see that an awful lot of wheels and equipment had been installed under one of the bridge segments.
About 6 am Saturday morning, my phone beeped with a text from Karen suggesting that the bridge would be on the move soon and that we should go and watch, that it was our civic duty to watch our state government in action.  Without even brushing our teeth, we were out of bed and on our way St. Paul.  By 8 am, we were part of a small, diverse group of locals who were interested in the final installation of the Maryland Avenue bridge over I-35-E.
The self-propelled bridge hauler is operated by a Texas company. A pair of diesel engines run hydraulic pumps that raise or lower the entire bridge, rotate and turn the wheels.  The platform supports the entire bridge and moves at a walking pace.  It can be turned and maneuvered as required to place the bridge on its supports and is controlled by one man with a small computer.

Note that 2 pair of wheels were raised, malfunction?, while the bridge was being moved.  We counted 192 pair of hydraulically driven wheels on the transporter. (384 wheels, a lot of steel girders, one man, one computer program and a great big, heavy bridge)

Note also that our viewing location was very nicely shaded.
What a day!

Keep em running.
As Always,
The GlassStacker's Assistant