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Minnesota Highway 95 Underpass

Recycled Turntable Through Plate Girder Bridge over MN-95
Stillwater, Washington County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Minnesota Highway 95 Underpass
Built By Northern Pacific Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Minnesota DNR
Length 130 Feet Total, 92 Foot Span
Width 1 Track, 2 Trail Lanes
Height Above Ground 14 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Timber Pile
Date Built 1912, Relocated Here 1967
Original Location 85-foot turntable at Missoula, Montana
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
Significance Moderate Significance


Located on the north side of Stillwater, this through plate girder bridge crosses Minnesota Highway 95 and was constructed in 1967 to replace a similar bridge.
Originally built in 1912 as an 85-foot turntable at Missoula, Montana; the bridge was removed from Missoula in the 1960s and stored at Brainerd, Minnesota for future use. In 1967, the bridge would be reconstructed with a new floor, and installed here on old stone abutments. Wooden trestle spans were also added on each end.
Reusing bridges and turntables was a common technique used by railroads to save money. The railroads could often rebuild or strengthen old spans, saving money on bridges.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. The bridge is now used by a trail. The author has rated the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date 2014 National Bridge Inventory
Build Date Northern Pacific Bridge Book, provided by Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele