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Vermillion Rail Bridge

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Vermillion River
Vermillion, Clay County, South Dakota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Vermillion Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railway
Contractor Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company of Milwaukee
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 262 Feet Total, 60 Foot Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Originally Built 1914
Date Relocated Unknown
Original Location Unknown
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MLIW Bridge Number T-326
Significance Local Significance


This bridge is a moderate sized Through Girder bridge over the Vermilion River near the town of Vermillion.
While the main spans were built in 1914; even as recently as the 1960s, the bridge here was a standard pile trestle.
Given this information, it appears that these two spans were relocated to this location. It is unknown where these spans originated from, or when they were relocated.
Constructed of a pair of through girder spans, the bridge is approached by trestle spans. The entire structure is set onto wooden substructures.
Overall, the bridge remains in fair condition. It appears that the through girder spans were recently reinforced.
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

Main Span Build Date Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company Plaque
Relocation Proof given by track charts
Contractor Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company Plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele