The Hastings High Bridge is the second automobile bridge to cross the river in this area. The first was the famous Hastings Spiral Bridge, which was built for wagon traffic in the 19th century.
Time may be catching up with this structure, too. Hastings is now part of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, and US-61 is now a 4-lane 65-MPH expressway and freeway starting at the north end of the bridge. The new bridge is lacking in capacity, and the structure has deteriorated a bit, so talk is underway about replacing the High Bridge, one of the most graceful Mississippi River crossings in the upper river section.
