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Osaugie Trail Bridge

Through Girder Swing Bridge over Nemadji River
Allouez, Douglas County, Wisconsin

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Osaugie Trail Bridge
Built By Northern Pacific Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Douglas County
Length 230 Feet Total, 160 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track, 2 Trail Lanes
Height Above Ground 12 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Girder Swing Bridge and Trestle
Substructure Type Concrete, Stone Masonry and Timber Pile
Date Built 1904, Approaches added 1953
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
NP Bridge Number 62
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date February 2014


This unique bridge currently carries the Osaugie Trail between Superior and Allouez.
Built in 1904, the bridge was a through girder swing span built to cross over the Nemadji River.
While the swing span hasn't operated in some time, the machinery still appears to be in place. These small through girder swing spans were perfect for when regulation required a swing span, but operations would be minimal.
More uniqueness comes from the bridges apparent reconstruction in 1953. The former abutments serve as piers, and the trestle approaches rest on stone abutments.
The swing span appears to have all its operating gear still intact, but reports say the bridge has been bolted shut.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.

Nemadji River Railroad Bridges
Upstream UP Nemadji River Bridge
Downstream Confluence into Lake Superior

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date American Bridge Company plaque
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele