Connecting Boom Island to Nicollet Island, this large through truss bridge is located on the other side of Nicollet Island from the Abandoned East Channel Bridge.
Built in 1901, the bridge features a single 8-panel, pin connected Pratt Through Truss, set onto concrete substructures. The bridge also features laced endposts, and heavily built up members.
The bridge was designed by Charles Frederick Loweth, a famed railroad bridge engineer who would eventually become the chief engineer of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.
After years of use as a railroad, Boom Island was cleaned up in the 1970s and 1980, and the massive rail yards removed. That left the future of this bridge in question, as it no longer served any use.
Also during the 1970s, it was proposed to build I-335, a new freeway across Boom Island. This would have led to the removal of this bridge. Fortunately, that project was canceled and the bridge purchased and converted to trail use.
Little changed about the bridge between 1987 and 2017. However, the bridge received a complete rehabilitation in 2018, including the strengthening of the floor for emergency vehicles, a new deck and a new coat of paint. The original chain link handrails were removed, and replaced with a more decorative cable style railing.
Overall, the bridge retains excellent historic integrity and is in good condition. The author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream | BNSF Mississippi River Bridge (North Minneapolis) |
| Downstream | Abandoned East Channel Bridge |
| Downstream | Nicollet Island Rail Bridge |