The bridge formerly carried US 169 and MN 101,[2] and served as the principal river crossing for Shakopee.

[3] The bridge was built to carry Minnesota State Highway 5, locally known within Shakopee as Holmes Street.

[3] A study from 1985 had identified only 10 deck truss bridges built in Minnesota before 1946.

[3] The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 for its state-level significance in the theme of engineering.

[5] It was nominated for its rare design type and its fabrication by an important Minnesota bridge manufacturer.