This bridge is the upstream bridge of two bridges built between Chippewa
County and Lac Qui Parle County between Montevideo and the Lac Qui Parle Dam.
These two bridges were built at the same time, using the same bridge plans,
resulting in identical looking bridges. Further, both bridges have been
extensively rebuilt by adding new pilings, making the piers wider, adding new
girders, putting on a new wider deck, and adding modern slanted guardrails.
The only differences that I could find between the two bridges is that this
one has its steel girders painted red-brown, while the county 15 and county 18
bridge has its girders painted blue-gray.
The photo above is a view looking east from the north side of Lac Qui Parle
County highway 20. The photo below is a collage that shows each of the 4
bridge plates that are attached to the structure. There is one plate for each
county, and two to note the federal aid project that funded the bridge
construction.
These two photos are views of the south face of the highway 14 and highway
20 bridge. The photo above is looking to the west from the southeast corner
of the structure, while the photo below is looking east from the southwest
corner of the structure. The bridge widening visible in these two photos.
Note the small round pier at the end of each main bridge pier, and that the
concrete pier cap is independent of the original H-shaped pier. This
additional pier is used to support one additional bridge girder.
The photo above is looking west down the length of the bridge deck from the
south shoulder of Chippewa County highway 14. The photo below is looking
east down the length of the bridge deck from the center of Lac Qui Parle
County highway 20.