logo

Purgatory Creek Trail Arch

Concrete Arch Bridge over Purgatory Creek
Eden Prairie, Hennepin County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Purgatory Creek Trail Arch
Built By Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority
Length 14 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Concrete Arch
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1902; Repaired 2021
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
M&StL Bridge Number 25.04
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date December 2020


Located in a suburban area of Eden Prairie, this concrete arch bridge carries the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail over Purgatory Creek.
Built in 1902, the bridge features a single concrete arch, with typical wing walls. Unfortunately, significant deterioration was noted throughout the bridge, including the complete loss of the southwest wing wall.
In addition, the bridge is located just south of where the famed Graffiti Bridge once stood. While that bridge was removed in May 1991 so that Valley View Road could be widened, this bridge remains.
In 2021, a second culvert was installed next to this one, and this arch repaired. It is believed the repairs probably involved the encasement of the original structure.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to poor condition, with some significant spalling and the complete loss of a wing wall.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date ICC Valuation Summary Report, courtesy Doug Harding collection
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele