BNSF 19th Avenue Bridge (West)

Northeast Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota

Default pic
Overview
South abutment
North abutment
Overview
Span #3
Typical railing
Center pier
Under approach span
Under main span
Deterioration on pier
Date stamp

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Default Pic
Overview
South abutment
North abutment
Overview
Span #3
Typical railing
Center pier
Under approach span
Under main span
Deterioration on pier
Date stamp
1/12
Date Taken:
Author:
Caption:
Name BNSF 19th Avenue Bridge (West)
Great Northern Railway Bridge #10.8
Built By Great Northern Railway
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Superstructure Contractor Unknown
Substructure Contractor Unknown
Length 85 Feet Total, 27 Foot Main Spans
Width 5 Tracks
Height Above Ground 13 Feet 9 Inches
Superstructure Design Concrete encased beam and concrete slab
Substructure Design Concrete
Date Built 1924
Traffic Count 25 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Great Northern Railway Bridge Number 10.8
BNSF Railway Bridge Number 10.8
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date 3/26/2014
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 Northeast Minneapolis, this concrete encased beam bridge carries the BNSF Midway Subdivision across 18th Avenue Northeast. Built in 1924 as part of a grade separation project, the bridge features two 27-foot concrete encased beam spans, approached by a 15-foot concrete slab span on each end. The entire bridge is set onto concrete substructures, and utilizes a ballasted deck. The piers of the bridge utilize a decorative design typical for this era, and the railings of the bridge are also decorative. The bridge is located next to the former Northern Pacific Bridge. Bridges such as this were commonly used as grade separations in cities throughout the United States, due to the durability and ease of construction. Overall, this bridge appears to be in fair to poor condition, with some spalling and concrete defects noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.

Citations

Build Date Date Stamp
Railroad History Citation ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele