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Mayer Railroad Bridge

Deck Girder Bridge over S. Fork Crow River
Mayer, Carver County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Mayer Railroad Bridge
Built By Great Northern Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Carver County
Length 185 Feet Total, 70 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track, 2 Trail Lanes
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Built 1939, Converted to Trail 2013
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails To Trails
Significance Local Significance


Originally built in 1939, this large bridge crosses the South Fork Crow River.
Built with a trio of deck girder spans, the bridge is approached by trestle spans. The entire bridge is set onto timber substructures.
The three deck girder spans have unknown origins. The Great Northern was known for some bridge relocation, and this could very well be the case here.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. The bridge was converted to trail usage in 2012.

The author ranks this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be easily accessed from a parallel road.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Great Northern Bridge Book at Minnesota Historical Society
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele