Grassy Point Swing Bridge

Located south of US Highway 2, this large through truss swing bridge crosses the St. Louis River. The previous bridge at this location was a single track swing span. By 1912, the bridge had become too light and too narrow for the traffic required, and the bridge would be replaced. A double track 425-foot swing span, consisting of two 6-panel riveted Baltimore through trusses joined over a center pier with a tower would be constructed to replace the single track span. This span would be approached by an 80-foot through plate girder on each end, and 18 spans of timber pile trestle on the west end and 63 spans on the east end. The bridge is set onto concrete and timber pile substructures.

Swing spans were commonly used where river navigation was required, and a vertical lift span would not be feasible. These bridges often used unique trusses to form halves of the swing span, and were often joined by a tower over a round swing pier. Northern Pacific bridge records indicate that the approaches were upgraded in 1960, although they have likely been upgraded since. The former eastbound (south) track has since been removed, and the trestle approaches are only constructed for a single track. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the swing design. Relatively few swing bridges remain in Minnesota.