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Hendrum Rail Bridge

Deck Girder Bridge over Wild Rice River
Near Hendrum, Norman County, Minnesota

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Name Hendrum Rail Bridge
Built By Great Northern Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Norman County
Length 300 Feet Total, 80 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 40 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Timber Pile
Date Built 1907
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned
MNN Bridge Number 29.15
Significance Local Significance
Significance March 2014


This large deck girder bridge crosses the Wild Rice River, parallel to US-75.
The bridge features massive stone piers, and several deck girder spans. In addition, the abutment on the north end has been converted to a pier; and trestle approach spans added. br> The bridge was built when the line here was first built. However, it is in poor condition. One of the piers has been found to be undercut and shifting.
Because of this shifting pier, the Minnesota Northern Railroad opted to close the route. When the route was finally abandoned, the pier was several feet out of alignment.

The future of the structure is presently unknown. It is possible it will be converted to a trail bridge.
The author has ranked the bridge as locally significant, due to the lack of sizable spans or old spans of any type in the area.

The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Great Northern Railway AFEs
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele