The Wabasha Freedom Bridge is a vital gateway into downtown St. Paul. Recognizing the community's emphasis on aesthetics, the mayor appointed a Task Force to oversee the bridge design. The GM2 Complex Bridge team worked closely with this Task Force and other community representatives to create a bridge that would “blend in with the urban fabric”. During a design workshop, community members voted on various aesthetic elements, including shapes, shadows, colors, and textures. Key features selected included custom railings and light fixtures, patterned sidewalks, and pedestrian overlooks, all designed to enhance the bridge's visual appeal and connection to the surrounding area.

The bridge features twin 1,250’ long cast-in-place concrete segmental structures with a 392’ main span over the Mississippi River. Construction progressed through one of the harshest winters on record, followed by a 75-year flood that fully submerged Raspberry Island, the site of the center piers. Using a high-performance concrete mix and plastic enclosures equipped with portable heaters for the form travelers and segments allowed the contractor to stay on track, missing only three days of work during the challenging winter. The cantilever construction method allowed for safe work above the river, helping to keep the project on schedule. Remarkably, the contractor cast a segment in each form traveler every four days, resulting in six segments cast in a single week—95’ of completed bridge in just seven days.