The northern end of CSAH-100 terminates in the small city of Aurora. Aurora was founded around 1900 as part of the iron rush when the Mesabi Iron Range area was developed. The iron has since been played out or is now too expensive to compete on the world market. As a result, unemployment has hit the area hard. A government organization called the IRRRB is attempting to attract industry to the iron range by developing new businesses. One such business that recently began operation in Aurora is a Blue Cross Blue Shield call center.
The CSAH-100 bridge is located about 2 miles south of Aurora. The bridge features several very graceful precast concrete girders with arch shapes cast into the large beams. The appears to have seen very little attention since it was built in 1958. The concrete on the guardrails is crumbling, and the deck is pock-marked. The columns supporting the bridge also show signs of deterioration. While the bridge remains structurally sound, it appears that it could use a major overhaul, with sleeves added to the piers, a new deck installed, and the guardrails rebuilt to modern standards.
One of northern Minnesota's favorite sons, Jeno Paulucci, was born in Aurora. Paulucci is famous for food brands such as Jeno's Pizza, Chun King, and Michelinas. Paulucci’s most famous product is the Pizza Roll.
The photo above is looking northeast towards the west face of the CSAH-100 Bridge. The curved concrete beams are shown to good advantage in this view. The photo below is the bridge plate, which is held to the bridge by baler wire. It is amazing that vandals have not stolen this bridge plate.
