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CN Cedar River Bridge (Lyle)

Baltimore Through Truss Bridge over Cedar River
Lyle, Mower County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name CN Cedar River Bridge (Lyle)
Built By Illinois Central Railroad
Contractor (Superstructure) American Bridge Works of Chicago
Contractor (Substructure) G.H. Scribner Jr of Chicago
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Length 290 Feet Total, 190 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Baltimore Through Truss and Trestle
Substructure Type Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built 1900
Traffic Count 1 Train/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
IC Bridge Number 78.8
Significance Regional Significance

This massive railroad bridge is one of the most southern in Minnesota.
Built in 1900 to cross the Cedar River, the bridge uses a massive 190 foot long Baltimore Through Truss with pin connections and 7 panels.
In a region where Baltimore Through Trusses are rather rare, this bridge is significant on a regional level. Surviving numerous floods which have plagued the area, it still stands in extremely good health.
The truss is downright massive, using extensive lacing on built up columns and heavy latticed portal bracings.
Supporting the bridge are a series of concrete and timber substructures.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. With little traffic, the future of this line is cloudy.

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

Cedar River Railroad Bridges
Upstream CGW Cedar River Bridge (Austin)
Downstream DM&E Cedar River Bridge (Otranto)

Citations

Source Type

Source
Build Date Illinois Central 1973 Track Profile
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele