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Red Lake Falls Trail Bridge (South)

Warren Pony Truss Bridge over Clearwater River
Red Lake Falls, Red Lake County, Minnesota

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Name Red Lake Falls Trail Bridge (South)
Built By Great Northern Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Red Lake County
Length 480 Feet Total, 100 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 60 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Warren Pony Truss and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Built 1915
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date July 2014


Located in the town of Red Lake Falls, this bridge features a pony truss crossing high above the Clearwater River.
Originally built in 1915, the bridge consists of a large 8-panel, riveted Warren Pony Truss. This truss is also approached by numerous wooden trestle spans on either side. The entire bridge rests on timber substructures.
The source of the build date is from the National Bridge Inventory. The NBI is oftentimes incorrect, although generally close. The truss on this bridge appears to be from this era.
It is also possible that the truss was moved from a mainline to here, although no records of this bridge can be found in railroad documents.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. It has since been reused for a trail.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design. This truss is distinguished as being the only remaining railroad pony truss north of the Twin Cities in Minnesota.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date 2012 National Bridge Inventory
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele