You’re driving into downtown St. Paul, the sun is dipping below the horizon, and suddenly, you’re flanked by these glowing, pastel-green and pink railings. It’s the Wabasha Street Bridge. Most locals just call it the Wabasha Bridge, and honestly, we take it for granted. We treat it as a utilitarian slab of concrete that gets us from the West Side to the skyscrapers.
But there’s a weirdness to this bridge. A history of "almosts" and "should-have-beens."
Back in the early 90s, St. Paul almost got a bridge that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. The city held an international design competition. They wanted a "signature" structure. Artist James Carpenter proposed this wild, cable-stayed design with a V-shaped central mast. Critics at the time—because people in the 90s were very vocal about their bridges—joked that it looked like "Madonna's bra."
Predictably, the "bra bridge" was too expensive. The city pivoted. What we ended up with in 1998 was a concrete girder span that felt, well, a bit safe. To make up for the lack of architectural drama, they added the neon lights and those strange, cage-like metal overlooks.
It’s quirky. It’s very St. Paul.
The Bridge That Replaced a Legend
The current version of the Wabasha Bridge isn't the first. Not even close. The very first crossing at this spot opened in 1859. Think about that for a second. At that time, there were only two other bridges spanning the entire Mississippi River: one in Minneapolis and a railroad bridge down in Rock Island.
The 1889 version was a massive steel cantilevered truss. It was a beast. It defined the skyline for over a century before it was finally demolished in 1995 to make way for the modern concrete twin spans we see today.
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When you walk across the bridge now, you aren't just crossing water. You're hovering over Raspberry Island. If you’ve never taken the staircase down from the bridge deck to the island, you’re missing out. It’s one of the best spots in the city to watch the tugboats or just realize how massive the Mississippi actually is when you’re standing at its edge instead of flying over it at 45 mph.
Why the Colors Look Like a 1950s Diner
Have you ever wondered about the mint green and dusty pink? It wasn't an accident. The design team, led by Figg Engineering Group, worked with a community task force to pick "urban fabric" colors.
They wanted something that felt historic but vibrant.
The bridge actually officially carries the name Wabasha Freedom Bridge, a title added later to honor veterans. Those pylons with the flags? They aren't just for show. They’re part of a dedicated effort to turn a transit corridor into a memorial.
But let’s talk about those "cages." If you’ve ever stood in one of the pedestrian overlooks, you know they feel a bit... secure. Some people hate them because they obstruct the view. Others love them because they provide a literal buffer from the wind and the traffic. They were part of the final decorative touches that weren't actually finished until late 2001.
The Connection to the Caves
You can't talk about the Wabasha Bridge without mentioning what’s happening at the south end. As soon as you roll off the bridge into the West Side, you’re staring at the cliffs that house the Wabasha Street Caves.
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It's a bizarre contrast. You go from a 1990s concrete engineering marvel to man-made silica mines from the 1840s.
In the 1930s, these caves were a gangster hotspot. We’re talking John Dillinger and Ma Barker territory. While the bridge above was being rebuilt and modernized, the caves below remained a time capsule of Prohibition-era speakeasies and mushroom farming.
Kinda makes your commute feel a bit more cinematic, doesn't it?
Current Construction: The 2026 Reality
If you’ve tried to drive near the bridge lately, you know it’s a mess. As of early 2026, the Capital City Bikeway project is in full swing. St. Paul is obsessed with being bike-friendly right now, and the Wabasha corridor is a huge part of that.
Specifically, the work on Kellogg Boulevard right at the foot of the bridge has been a headache.
- Westbound Kellogg is currently seeing heavy lane restrictions between Wabasha and Washington.
- Utility work by Xcel Energy has been popping up like a game of whack-a-mole.
- The goal is to eventually connect the bridge’s bike lanes to a seamless path all the way to the State Capitol.
Expect detours through the spring and summer of 2026. If you're heading to a Wild game at the Xcel Energy Center, don't even try to take your "usual" route. Follow the signs to 6th Street. Trust me.
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Facts Most People Miss
The bridge is actually two separate structures. It’s a "twin" design. This was done partly for maintenance—they can close one side without killing all traffic—and partly because of the flight paths for Holman Field (the St. Paul Downtown Airport).
Because planes fly so low over the river here, the bridge couldn't have high towers or suspension cables. That’s the real reason the "Madonna's bra" design died. It wasn't just the money; it was the pilots.
Engineering-wise, it’s a "cast-in-place post-tensioned segmental concrete" structure. That sounds boring, but it’s actually a feat of strength. It was designed to handle the insane temperature swings we get here. The bridge was actually constructed during one of the coldest winters in Minnesota history. Crews were pouring concrete in sub-zero temperatures, using massive heaters to keep the segments from freezing before they set.
Actionable Tips for Visiting
If you want to actually "experience" the bridge rather than just drive over it:
- Park on the West Side. There’s usually street parking near the caves or along the river flats. It’s cheaper than downtown.
- Take the Stairs. The staircase at the north end of Raspberry Island is an architectural gem. It’s great for photos of the St. Paul skyline.
- Go at Twilight. That’s when the neon kicks in. The bridge looks best when the sky is deep blue and the green railings start to glow.
- Check the Detours. Before you head out, check the St. Paul Public Works "Road Closures" map. In 2026, things change weekly.
Next time you’re stuck in traffic on the Wabasha Bridge, look at the pylons. Look at the cages. Think about the gangsters in the caves 100 feet to your left and the planes flying 100 feet over your head. It’s not just a bridge; it’s the most complicated piece of "safe" architecture in the Twin Cities.
Check the official St. Paul city website for the latest 2026 construction updates before planning any major weekend trips through downtown.