Click the photo to view the full-size version
| Name | Westminster Junction Tunnel #3 |
| Built By | Great Northern Railway Northern Pacific Railway |
| Currently Owned By | BNSF Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 677 Feet Total |
| Width | 25 Feet |
| Height Above Ground | 25 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Stone and Brick Arch Tunnel and concrete slab |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry |
| Date Built | 1885, Reconstructed 1922 |
| Traffic Count | 20 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Significance | Moderate Significance |
| Documentation Date | 7/2/2017 |
In 1885, the Saint Paul and Northern Pacific Railway Company (StP&NP) began construction on five separate lines in Minneapolis. Line "A" would extend from Seventh Street in St. Paul to 20th Street in Minneapolis, crossing the Mississippi River twice. Line "B" would extend from St. Anthony Junction (near present day MN-280 and Kasota Avenue) to Northtown Junction. Line "C" would extend along Ramsey Street from Line "A" to Plymouth Avenue. Line "D" consisted of a 1 mile long industrial line along 2nd Street. Line "E" consisted of a connection between Line "A" and Line "C" along Mulberry Street. Work on the five lines would be completed in 1886.
The StP&NP would be purchased by the Northern Pacific Railway (NP) in 1896. NP continued to operate these lines as part of their vast Twin Cities network. Portions of line "C" would be abandoned in the 1960s. In 1970, NP would merge with rival Great Northern Railway and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy to form Burlington Northern Railroad (BN). Line "E" would be abandoned during the 1970s. Portions of line "A" through downtown Minneapolis were removed during the 1980s, and Bridge #9 was purchased by the City of Minneapolis for trail use. In 1996, BN merged with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway to form BNSF Railway. BNSF currently owns line "A" and line "B" as part of the St. Paul Subdivision. The northern portions of Line "A" are also used by BNSF as a spur to serve the Cemstone plant. Lines "C" and "D" have largely been developed, and line "E" has become part of a trail.
View an article about the Wetminster Junction Tunnels
Located at Westminster Junction, this tunnel is one of four existing tunnels at this location. Built in 1885, the tunnel consists of a 677-foot long stone and brick arch tunnel crossing under the former Great Northern mainline. The tunnel was constructed as the Northern Pacific constructed a new route, known as the west side line, through the junction. Because of the geography of St. Paul, the Great Northern, Northern Pacific, Omaha Road and Soo Line all constructed mainlines through the Trout Brook valley. Because of the congested nature of the junction, grade separations were required to maintain efficient train operations. The tunnel was constructed using timber falsework, and was constructed similar to a traditional stone arch. An 80-foot long segment near the middle was left open for ventilation. The tunnel was originally connected to Tunnel #4, but the two were separated in 1922 when a 320-foot segment of tunnel was removed. The exposed faces were covered with a concrete slab.
While not a true tunnel, railroad tunnels are exceptionally uncommon in Minnesota. Three additional tunnels carry the former Northern Pacific East and West Side Lines through the junction. This tunnel is the longest of the four existing tunnels. A fifth tunnel once carried the Soo Line underneath the entire junction on the west side of the junction, but that tunnel collapsed and was demolished during the 1980s. Overall, the tunnel appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant, due to the unique design and situation.
Citations
| Build Date | Date carving |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |