Sorlie Memorial Bridge

Sorlie Memorial Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Sorlie Memorial Bridge
Location	E end of Demers Ave., Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota
Coordinates
Area	less than 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built	1929
Architect	Minneapolis Bridge Co.
Architectural style	Parker through truss bridge
MPS	Historic Roadway Bridges of North Dakota MPS
NRHP Reference #	99000844
Added to NRHP	July 19, 1999

The Sorlie Memorial Bridge, also known as the Red River Bridge was built in 1929 by the Minneapolis Bridge Company to connect the cities of Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

The Sorlie Memorial Bridge replaced a swing bridge on the same site that was constructed in 1889. It is a Parker through truss bridge with two truss spans and rides on rails to accommodate the ever-changing banks of the Red River of the North. The Sorlie Memorial Bridge was named for North Dakota's 14th governor, Arthur G. Sorlie. Plaques on either end identify Sorlie as "a true friend of better roads and bridges." At the time, the bridge was the only vehicular crossing in the area, and was important for carrying U.S. Route 2, a transcontinental route. It is the oldest documented Parker truss design in the state, and its two spans of 283 feet (86 m) are the longest riveted Parker through trusses in the state.

Further reading

• Mark Hufstetler. Historic Roadway Bridges of North Dakota, National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Submission. National Park Service, December 10, 1996

External links

Media related to Sorlie Memorial Bridge at Wikimedia Commons

A Humvee on the Sorlie Bridge during the 1997 Red River Flood

• Web Camera showing live view of Sorlie Memorial Bridge