Skunk Hollow Rail Crossing

Located in St. Louis Park, this large through girder bridge once carried the Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern over the Milwaukee Road and the Minneapolis & St. Louis main lines. Built in approximately 1912, the bridge features two large through plate girder spans, with a steel stringer approach. The girder spans are each different sizes, and the steel stringer approach is set onto steel towers. The abutments of the bridge are concrete, while the piers are made of steel. It is currently unknown who built the bridge, although it is possible that Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company may be the contractor. While changes have been made underneath with the construction of the Southwest Light Rail, this bridge is still standing strong. The bridge now crosses the Cedar Lake Trail, the Southwest Light Rail (Blue Line) and a CPKC line. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no major deterioration noted. The author has rated the bridge as being moderately significant, due to the unique design.