It was designed and built in 1958 by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, opening in 1960 and closing in 2017 when the new Hwy.

A repurposed bridge was installed in 1930 but washed away in 1943 and the ferry was back in operation from 1944 to 1960.

As such it is badly over capacity and congestion is predicted to worsen on weekdays as the area becomes developed.

To relieve congestion, a new freeway connection has been proposed that would cross the river several miles to the east.

It is not known if the new crossing will carry the MN 24 designation or a different number, as the present highway between Clear Lake and Clearwater would undoubtedly be transferred to local jurisdiction.