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St. Cloud Rail Bridge

Historic Pratt Deck Truss Bridge over Mississippi River
St. Cloud, Benton County, Minnesota
To
St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name St. Cloud Rail Bridge
Built By Great Northern Railway
Contractor (Initial Fabrication) Edge Moor Bridge Works of Wilmington, Delaware
Contractor (Strengthening) American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 688 Feet Total, 170 Foot Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 67 Feet
Superstructure Type Reinforced Pratt Deck Truss
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built 1892, Reinforced 1922
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BN Bridge Number 10
Significance Regional Significance
Documentation Date November 2012 and January 2022


View an article regarding the reinforcement of this bridge.

Prominently located just north of St. Germain Street in St. Cloud, this large deck truss bridge is an iconic and historic structure.
The first bridge at this location consisted of a four span wooden deck truss, set onto the same stone substructures. By 1892, the bridge had become too light for traffic and was replaced by a four span Pratt Through Truss.

Historic Photo
Historic photo of the bridge

This new structure contained 4 spans of 9-panel pin connected Pratt Deck Truss. These lightweight spans were set onto stone masonry substructures.
In 1922, the bridge would receive its only major alteration. A third truss line was built between the existing trusses, and a new deck added.
It is believed this extra bracing was fabricated specifically for this bridge. Further alteration occurred in 1944, when the western pier was encased in concrete.

Historic Photo
Blueprint showing the reinforcement of a typical span

Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition. Some deterioration of the superstructure was noted in 2022.

The author has ranked the bridge as regionally significant, because of the age and the unique modifications, which add to the historic value of this structure.
The photo above is looking east from a new walkway underneath the bridge. The photo below shows details of the reinforcement.

Mississippi River River Railroad Bridges
Upstream Soo Line Bridge at Blanchard
Downstream Camden Place Rail Bridge



Detail Photos

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Great Northern Railway Bridge Records at the Minnesota Historical Society
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele