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Georgetown Rail Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Buffalo River
Georgetown, Clay County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Georgetown Rail Bridge
Built By Great Northern Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 244 Feet Total, 75 Foot Largest Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Timber Pile
Date Built 1908
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date July 2015


Located in the town of Georgetown, this large deck girder bridge crosses the Buffalo River.
Built in 1908, the bridge features four deck girder spans. These spans mainly rest on stone piers, but a timber pier supports the southern spans. In addition, a series of trestle spans approach the south end.
According to GN records, the southern pier was replaced in 1950 by the current timber pier. It is unknown why the pier failed.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition. As it is no longer used, the bridge has an unknown future.

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

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