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Adams Trail Bridge

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Unnamed Tributary of Little Cedar River
Adams, Mower County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Adams Trail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Minnesota DNR
Length 110 Feet Total, 65 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Built Ca. 1910
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
MILW Bridge Number S-132
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date April 2021


Located on the west side of Adams, this through girder bridge crosses an unnamed tributary of the Little Cedar River just south of Minnesota Highway 56 (Main Street).
Little is known about the history of this bridge. It consists of a through plate girder span, set onto timber substructures and approached by a single trestle span on either side.
No plaques could be located on the main span, which appears to be largely unaltered since the original construction. It is unknown if this span was originally built here, but it is quite possible that it was originally built elsewhere, and relocated here at a later date. The girder span appears to follow a design dating to approximately 1910.
The main girder also features unusual bracings on the side, which are very closely spaced on the ends, but leave larger panels in the middle. Today, the bridge serves as part of the Shooting Star State Trail.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, and is well maintained. No major defects were found on the superstructure or substructure.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. Further research is being conducted on the history of this bridge.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Estimated
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele