One of two railroad bridges between East Grand Forks and Grand Forks, this structure is still active and the only bridge still remaining.
The first bridge was built at this location in 1879, and featured a wooden truss swing bridge. The swing span was again upgraded in 1885, before being replaced in 1896 by a light iron structure, likely built by the Edge Moor Bridge Works.
Historic photo of the previous bridge
In 1902, the wooden approaches were rebuilt again with additional wooden trusses. By the early 1900s, it became desirable to eliminate wooden and combination trusses from active mainline use.
As a result, Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company was contracted to replace the two approach trusses in 1918 with new through girder spans. The light nature of the swing span, plus the removal of navigation requirements allowed the GN to replace that in 1924 with another pair of through girders.
For many years, the bridge consisted of five through girder spans, with the inner spans two being significantly longer. In addition, the bridge was approached by wooden trestle spans from both ends. By 1956, 10 new steel stringers would be built as part of the eastern (Minnesota) approach. In 2005, several modular concrete spans would be built as part of the North Dakota approach.
Since then, the bridge is largely unchanged. Currently, the bridge consists of seven modular concrete spans on the west end, followed by a 55-foot and an 85-foot through girder spans, a pair of 95-foot through girders, an 82-foot through girder and 10 steel stringer spans on the Minnesota approach. The bridge rests on stone, concrete, timber and steel pile substructures.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with the bridge being well maintained. The author believes the remaining wooden substructures will be replaced in the near future.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the mix of spans and large size.
The photo above is an overview. The photo below is one of several plaques on the through girder spans.
| Upstream | NP Bridge #95 |
| Downstream | Memorial Park Rail Bridge |
Citations
Source Type |
Source |
| Main Spans Build Date | American Bridge Company plaque |
| Main Spans Contractor | American Bridge Company plaque |
| Approach Girders Build Date | Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company plaque |
| Approach Girders Contractor | Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company plaque |
| Railroad Line History Source | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |