Modern Highway Photos: Southern Dakota County and Hastings

Northbound at 8th Street, starting the descent into the Mississippi River Valley. On the right is the Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest standing church in Hastings, originally constructed in 1862 at 5th Street, and moved south to 8th Street in 1871 (the tower was also built at this time). (Info from the Dakota County Historical Society).

Continuing down the hill towards the river.

Looking north at 5th Street.

The Hastings City Hall at Vermillion and 4th Streets, originally constructed from 1869 to 1871 as the Dakota County Courthouse. The county moved to a new facility in about 1974. It became city hall in 1993. (Info from the Dakota County Historical Society).

Looking north towards the Hastings High Bridge from 3rd Street. The divided highway merges back to two lanes for the crossing.

Looking north down the ramps leading from 3rd Street to 2nd/Main Street, constructed back in 1950/1951 as part of the construction of the Hastings High Bridge.

A closer view of the bridge from 2nd/Main Streets. The High Bridge replaced the historic spiral bridge, located a block to the east at Sibley Street (for more info on the old bridge, see the lost highway article here).

Crossing the Mississippi River on the Hastings High Bridge, scheduled to be replaced in 2010 due to its poor condition and fracture critical design.

Looking north from the north end of the bridge, entering Washington County. The highway expands back to four lanes ahead before winding its way out of the river bottoms.