Fargo Railroad Bridge (North)

Located north of 1st Avenue, this through girder bridge is the northern crossing of the Red River between Fargo and Moorhead. The first bridge here was a wooden swing bridge, which was constructed when the line was built in 1881. In 1896, the bridge was reconstructed with a single track steel swing span, utilizing pin connected Pratt through trusses, set onto three stone piers. The swing span was originally approached by lengthy wooden trestle spans. In 1913, the approaches would be reconstructed with steel and concrete spans. By 1924, the swing bridge would be replaced by a pair of through plate girder spans, reusing the stone piers. The most recent alteration to the bridge came in approximately 2000, when the first deck plate girder east of the through girders was replaced, and the eastern through girder shortened. At this time, the original east stone pier was replaced with a steel pile pier, giving the bridge its current configuration. It is unknown why the bridge was altered at this time, but it is possible the Flood of 1997 compromised the original pier.

Currently, the bridge consists of a 98-foot west through plate girder span and an 83-foot east through plate girder span, which was shortened from 98 feet in approximately 2000. The west approach consists of eight 49-foot and one 32-foot deck plate girder spans, approached by ten 16-foot concrete slab spans. The east approach consists of one 64-foot and four 49-foot deck plate girder spans. The 64-foot deck girder span appears to have been fabricated in approximately 1910, and was reused from an unknown location. With the exception of the three main piers, the remaining substructures are constructed of concrete. American Bridge Company fabricated the two main spans, while the Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company fabricated the remaining steel spans. Railroad forces constructed the concrete slab spans, and it is likely railroad forces also constructed the concrete substructures. It is unknown if the stone piers were constructed by an unknown contractor or by railroad forces. Some historical accounts indicate that all construction in 1896 was done under the direction of GN forces.

While the Red River was originally considered navigable from Fargo northwards, there is no evidence that the swing span ever operated, other than a trial when it was first constructed. Numerous bridges across the Red River were originally constructed as swing spans, prior to being replaced by fixed spans. Through and deck plate girder spans were popular for railroad use, as they were durable and easy to construct. Concrete slab spans became extremely popular in the 20th Century, as they were an inexpensive and far more durable alternative to timber spans. These spans could be constructed offsite, and installed with minimal interruption to railroad traffic. Overall, the bridge appears to be well maintained, with no significant deterioration noted. The steel spans retain a mostly intact coat of silver paint, common for GN bridges. The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the length, history and variety of spans.

This design of bridge was commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. It is unknown if the old swing span was reused elsewhere, as railroads often reused steel spans that had become inadequate for mainline use. The eastern through girder span would be shortened by approximately 15 feet in the early 2000s, and a new steel pile pier constructed. It is unknown why this work was conducted, although it is possible it is related to flood damage from the 1997 flood. A 49-foot deck girder span would be removed at this time, and a 64-foot span installed. It appears that this span was reused from another location, although it is unclear where it may have come from. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to poor condition, with some deterioration noted throughout the structure. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.