BNSF 4th Street Bridge (Middle)

St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota

Default pic
Under bridge
North abutment
Overview
South abutment and Trout Brook arch
Under bridge
South abutment
Overview
Overview

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Default Pic
Under bridge
North abutment
Overview
South abutment and Trout Brook arch
Under bridge
South abutment
Overview
Overview
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Author:
Caption:
Name BNSF 4th Street Bridge (Middle)
Great Northern Railway Bridge #0.6
Built By Great Northern Railway
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Superstructure Contractor Unknown
Length 47 Feet Total
Width 6 Tracks (2 In Use)
Height Above Ground 14 Feet 0 Inches
Superstructure Design Concrete Encased Half Through Plate Girder
Substructure Design Stone Masonry
Date Built 1902, Encased With Concrete 1927
Traffic Count 30 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status Open to Traffic
Great Northern Railway Bridge Number 0.6
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date 8/26/2015
In 1862, the First Division of The St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company constructed the first railroad in Minnesota, a 10 mile route between St. Paul, Minnesota and Minneapolis (St. Anthony), Minnesota. The railroad quickly spurred growth throughout the Twin Cities, and was extended north and west during the following years. In 1879, the railroad was purchased by the James J. Hill controlled St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway (StPM&M). This route became one of the heaviest used routes on the StPM&M system. By 1907, the StPM&M would be purchased by another James J. Hill railroad, the Great Northern Railway (GN). Great Northern connected to Seattle and Portland on the West Coast, and to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) in St. Paul. In 1970, GN merged with rival Northern Pacific Railway and the CB&Q to form Burlington Northern Railroad. BN was in turn merged with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1996, to form BNSF Railway. BNSF currently operates this line as the Midway Subdivision, the southern of two parallel BNSF main lines through the Twin Cities.

Located in St. Paul, this bridge is one of four parallel structures which cross 4th Street. Originally built in 1902, the bridge consisted of a six track half through plate girder span, set onto stone abutments. This bridge is parallel to the former Northern Pacific Bridge. In 1927, the bridge would be altered by encasing the girder spans. It is unknown why the girders were encased, as this would not strengthen the bridge. The half through plate girder design is relatively unusual for railroads, and often indicates that a bridge has been altered. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the unique design.

Citations

Build Date Great Northern Railway Historical Society Online Archives
Railroad History Citation ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele