As far as I can tell, the Horn bridge is the first bridge to be built at this location. It was built to be a relief route for the only other highway bridge in the central part of the city. It is named after former Grand Raipds mayor Robert K. Horn.

The bridge itself is a prestressed concrete girder bridge. The river runs at an angle to the road, so the entire bridge is built at that angle. This includes the ends of the bridge and the large massive piers.

For the traveler, this bridge will represent a transition. Upstream, we found a number of lakes and dams, and a rapid drop in the river elevation. From here to the Brainerd Lakes area, we are going find a very different river. It will be one that is moves very slow, drops very little in elevation, and one that is very, very crooked. The river will have an almost uncountable number of loops and squiggles.