Members of Twin Cities Iron Workers local 512 and metropolitan construction companies donated time, materials, and labor to build two 70 foot bridges at Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake. Wetlands have prevented the 90-year-old camp from having an integrated trail system throughout its 69 acres.

Ironworkers Local 512 solved this problem by recruiting and teaming up with area construction companies to design and erect two bridges at the camp. These bridges will allow disabled veterans who visit the camp to have full access around the camp and the natural habitat.

In addition to Minnesota Legacy and International Ironworkers grants awarded for this project, companies donating materials and labor include Ambassador Steel, Amerect, Bald Eagle Erectors, Challman and Company, Concrete Form Engineers, E-Con Placer, Lametti & Sons, Lejeune Steel, McGough, Northern Dewatering, and Vic’s Crane. Design and engineering products were donated by American Engineering Testing, Hansen Thorp Pellinen Olson, Inc., and Mattson MacDonald Young.
Ironworkers 512 Business Manager Barry Davies stated that materials for the bridges were delivered to Veterans Campground on Saturday, Nov. 19, and members of Ironworkers 512 planned to erect them that same day. Veterans Campground is located in Washington County at 11300 180th Street North, Marine on St. Croix.