Crossing the West Des Moines River at Estherville, this bridge is one of the more interesting structures along the river.
Built in 1894, the bridge was originally constructed with a lightweight 8-panel pin connected Pratt Deck Truss span, as well as a number of girder viaduct spans on either side. The bridge rests on stone, steel and concrete substructures.
By the first decade of the 20th century, the bridge was no longer capable of holding heavy loads. As a result, a third truss line was added to the structure. It is unknown where this truss line came from, or when it was built. At the same time, the approaches were generally upgraded and the piers repaired.
The large deck girder on the east side is also an unusual structure. It certainly is too heavy by 1890s standards, and may have replaced a second truss span.
On the west approach, the original 1894 girders still exist. Creating a spindly look, these structures showcase a significantly more lightweight construction than the east approach.
Overall, the bridge is in good but light condition. An ethanol plant in nearby Superior supplies this bridge with a steady stream of traffic.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design. As the history becomes less clouded, this ranking could increase.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream | Jackson Black Bridge |
| Downstream | Estherville Rail Bridge (South) |