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BNSF Nemadji River Bridge (North)

Warren Deck Truss Bridge over Nemadji River
Saunders, Douglas County, Wisconsin

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Nemadji River Bridge (North)
Built By Great Northern Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 1,740 Feet Total, 90 Foot main span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 60 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Warren Deck Truss, Deck Girder Trestle and Concrete T-Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry, Concrete, Steel Tower and Steel Pile
Date Built 1900, Approaches Rebuilt 1907, 1913 and 2009
Traffic Count 4 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date February 2014


This large deck truss bridge crosses the Nemadji River on the south side of Superior.
Built in 1900, the bridge has seen a number of modifications. The main truss span features a 6-panel, riveted Warren Through Truss. This span was built in 1899 and originally approached by trestle spans. A third truss line was added to this span at some point.
The approaches were rebuilt in 1907 and 1913 with a number of steel deck girder spans on either side. However, some of these spans were replaced in 2009. The entire west approach was replaced by new modular concrete spans. The bridge is set onto concrete and stone substructures, as well as steel piles.
It is unknown why the west approach was replaced. The bridge is difficult to access, and the author accessed it via the frozen river.
Overall, the bridge remains in fair condition. It appears that some damage may have occurred to the structure during a flooding event.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
The photo above is an overview.

Nemadji River Railroad Bridges
Upstream CN Nemadji River Bridge (S)
Downstream CN Nemadji River Bridge (N)

Citations

Source Type

Source

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