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Namekagon River Trail Bridge (Cable)

Deck Truss Bridge over Namekagon River
Near Cable, Bayfield County, Wisconsin

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Namekagon River Trail Bridge (Cable)
Built By Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway
Contractor Lassig Bridge & Iron Works of Chicago
Currently Owned By Bayfield County
Length 175 Feet Total, 100 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Double Intersection Warren Deck Truss and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile and Stone Masonry
Date Built 1893
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
C&NW Bridge Number 302
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date December 2016


Hidden deep in the woods, this unique deck truss bridge crosses the Namekagon River near Cable.
Built in 1893, the bridge was built to replace a trestle during a time of rebuilding on this route.
Currently, the bridge consists of a main Double Intersection Warren Deck Truss. This 100 foot main span features riveted connections, typical of these lightweight deck trusses.
In addition to the main truss span, the bridge also features trestle approaches on either end The entire bridge rests on wood and stone substructures.
While this bridge rests on public land owned by Bayfield County, the former right of way is surrounded by private property.
Overall, the bridge remains in very good condition. The bridge is currently used as an ATV/snowmobile trail.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the old age of the bridge.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the trail it carries.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Thirteenth Annual Report of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway
Contractor Chicago & North Western Historical Society Archives
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele