Sambatek Recognized as ACEC MN Honor Award Winner for TH 61 Withers Harbor Bridge

We’re proud to share that Sambatek has been named an ACEC MN Honor Award Winner for the TH 61 Withers Harbor Bridge Replacement in Red Wing, Minnesota.

This project reimagined a critical transportation corridor as a multimodal community connection enhancing safety for drivers while creating welcoming spaces for pedestrians, cyclists, and trail users. Working closely with MnDOT and the City of Red Wing, our team delivered a design that balances engineering excellence, environmental stewardship, and placemaking.

The recognition highlights what thoughtful collaboration and context-sensitive design can achieve: infrastructure that does more than move people, it strengthens communities.

1 Project: TH 61 Withers Harbor Bridge Replacement Firm: Sambatek, LLC The TH 61 Withers Harbor Bridge and Roadway Reconstruction in Red Wing, Minnesota, transformed a critical crossing over Hay Creek into a modern multimodal corridor that connects residents, trails, and neighborhoods. Project Challenge The original 1952 Withers Harbor Bridge had reached the end of its service life, with structural deterioration, steep embankments, and aging infrastructure creating safety and mobility concerns. Located within a constrained corridor that crosses Hay Creek, adjacent wetlands, and a busy trail network, the project required a design solution that balanced engineering precision with environmental sensitivity and public use. The replacement effort required not only rebuilding a bridge but also reimagining a vital community connection, one that safely accommodates motorists, pedestrians, and trail users while respecting the surrounding natural and urban contexts. Solution Sambatek led roadway, bridge approach, and multi-use trail design for the Withers Harbor Bridge Replacement, coordinating closely with MnDOT and the City of Red Wing to ensure continuous mobility and access throughout construction. The design team delivered solutions that: • Enhanced safety and mobility for all travel modes. • Transformed the under-bridge area into a connected community plaza linked to the Hay Creek Trail. • Fit within the community expectations of the revitalized space. • Maintained a DNR snowmobile route through creative grading and bridge clearances. Outcome The completed bridge is more than an infrastructure replacement; it is a revitalized public space that invites community interaction. With ADA-compliant connections, improved lighting, and safe access for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and trail users, the project