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FOXY Pine River Bridge

Pratt Pony Truss Bridge over Pine River
Pine River, Lincoln County, Wisconsin

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Name CN Pine River Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Lassig Bridge & Iron Works of Chicago
Currently Owned By Fox Valley & Lake Superior Railroad
Length 180 Feet Total, 105 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Pony Truss and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Fabricated 1900
Date Erected 1913
Original Location Bridge #Z-708; Olin, Iowa
Traffic Count 3 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number G-368
Significance Moderate Significance


Located near the long forgotten station of Pine River south of Merrill, this pony truss crosses the Pine River.
Originally built in 1900 as part of a three span bridge over the Wapsipinicon River at Olin, Iowa; this span was here in 1913. The other two spans were moved to the New Wood River line north of Merrill.
The bridge consists of a 6-panel, pin connected Pratt Pony Truss, set onto timber piers and approached by trestle
At least one other span from Olin is known to exist, located near Menomonie, Wisconsin. The third span was reused at Bridge #G-1904 across the New Wood River on the same line as the Copper River Bridge, but it is unknown what happened to that span.
Railroads oftentimes reused material, particularly along branch lines. This truss design was a standard design, and dozens were constructed. Today, many still exist.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Milwaukee Road Archives at the Milwaukee Central Library
Contractor Missing Lassig Bridge & Iron Works plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele