There are two river channels in the Saint Anthony Falls area. The main channel of the Mississippi River runs along the west bank of the river. The east channel of the Mississippi River runs along the east bank of the river. The two channels are separated by Nicollet Island.

The Hennepin Avenue river crossing consists of three bridges. This includes suspension bridge over the main channel, and a pair of one-way steel girder bridges over the east channel. This page discusses the southbound bridge over the east channel, also known as the First Avenue Bridge.

The First Avenue Bridge is a very generic modern steel girder bridge with a concrete deck. It does have sidewalks that are protected from traffic by smaller guardrails and curbs. Beyond that, it has no decorative features. The bridge was painted in 1990 to match the green color of the Father Louis Hennepin Bridge.

Southbound traffic previously used the old East Channel Bridge, which was a 5 span stone arch bridge. That bridge was removed in 1973 after this bridge was completed.

The photo above is a side view of the bridge taken from Island Avenue, the road that circles Nicollet Island. The photo below is a view of the First Avenue Bridge taken from street level. This view is looking north towards the Riverplace condominium project.