logo

Big Bull Falls Rail Bridge (East)

Deck Girder Bridge over Wisconsin River
Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Big Bull Falls Rail Bridge (East)
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Length 136 Feet Total, 68 Foot Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet Estimated
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Concrete
Date Built 1926
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
C&NW Bridge Number D-38
Significance Local Significance


This common Deck Girder bridge over the East Channel of Big Bull Falls is a standard bridge.
Built in 1913, this three span structure was built to replace an 1890 truss, which had served its useful life. It is unknown if the old truss was moved to a new location after replacement. The two deck girders rest on stone and concrete substructures.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. In 2018, the river below is a favorite of kayaks.

The author has ranked this bridge as locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from a parallel road.

Wisconsin River Railroad Bridges
Upstream Woodson Park Rail Bridge
West Big Bull Falls Rail Bridge (W)
Downstream Knowlton Bridge

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date American Bridge Company plaque
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele