The historic Kern Bridge is a bowstring arch bridge that has been removed from its original location over the Le Sueur River in South Bend Township and will be rehabilitated/re-erected to a new location crossing over the Blue Earth River. The location will connect Sibley Park and Land of Memories Park and serve as part of the Minnesota River Trail. This connection and companion trail project in Land of Memories Park will create a continuous trail system from Minneopa State Park to the City of Faribault.
Project updates
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
The timber planks have been installed on the bridge deck. Concrete sidewalk has been installed on bridge approaches on both sides of the river. Street lights have been installed at Sibley Parkway. Curb and gutter has been placed on the road adjacent to bridge on the Land of Memories side. Trail connections have been prepped for pavement on the (LOM) side.
Upcoming work includes wood curb installation on the river span section of the bridge. Railing installation. Paving of the trail connections on the Land of Memories side and the road section in that area.
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Sidewalk approach has been poured on west side of Sibley Parkway. Electric hand holes have set at Sibley Parkway area. Sidewalk on abutment at Land of Memories Trail connection has been poured. Gravel base has been installed for roadway on (LOM) side of the river. Timber deck installation on the historic bridge section is ongoing.
Upcoming work includes curb and gutter installation for roadway on Land of Memories side. Paving of connecting trails in that same area.
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Historic bridge span has been put in place. Crews are actively working on the wooden bridge decking. Contractors are preparing Sibley Parkway and adjacent trails for bituminous pavement. Crews are also sub cutting road ways and adjacent trail connections on the Land of Memories side. Thursday, August 27, 2026
The historic span of the Kern bridge has been lifted into place over the Blue Earth River. Upcoming is road preparation on Sibley Parkway for bituminous pavement. Thursday, August 27, 2026
Historic bridge span is scheduled to be set onto newly constructed bridge piers by crane on the morning of Monday, August 24th starting at 7:00 am weather permitting. The setting of the bridge is expected to be completed by noon that day. Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Slope grading behind the the new curb on Sibley Parkway. Electricians were on site to install conduit and a hand hole at Sibley Parkway area. Friday, August 7, 2026
Curb and gutter has been installed on Sibley Parkway at the east end of Kern Bridge. Expect fine grading of aggregate base and sidewalk installation adjacent to Sibley Parkway to follow. Thursday, July 30, 2026
Class 5 is in place for the road in Sibley Park. Upcoming work is curb installation. Thursday, July 23, 2026
Painting of the bridge span has been completed. Concrete work and painting of the piers is ongoing. Subgrade preparation on the Sibley side is ongoing. Thursday, July 16, 2026
The painters are on site painting the bridge span. Road preparation for curb and gutter on Sibley Park is ongoing. Upcoming painting the stone piers. Friday, July 10, 2026
90% of the steel work has been completed on the bridge span. Friday, July 10, 2026
Steel work is ongoing nearing completion for the river span. Upcoming work is the painting crew will be moving in to paint the bridge and some of the piers. Friday, July 10, 2026
Ongoing steel work. Upcoming work is the painting crew will be moving in. Wednesday, June 17, 2026
E&J steel workers are on site assembling Kern bridge span. Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The span concrete sections of the bridge have been poured on both sides of Blue Earth River. Awaiting arrival of refurbished Kern Bridge span section to be assembled on site.
