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BNSF US-2 Bridge (Grand Rapids)

Deck Girder Bridge over US Highway 2
La Prairie, Itasca County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF US-2 Bridge (Grand Rapids)
Built By BNSF Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 135 Feet Total, 70 Foot Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 16 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 2005
Traffic Count 8 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
NBI Number 31031
Significance No Significance
In 1888, the Duluth and Winnipeg Railway Company began construction of a line stretching from Boylston, Wisconsin to Deer River, Minnesota.
The line was completed by 1892. By 1896, the railroad became part of the Duluth, Superior and Western Railway.
This railroad was short lived however, and became part of the Eastern Railway of Minnesota in 1898.
The Eastern Railway of Minnesota continued building west, and completed to Fosston by 1900. From here, the line could be continued west.
This railroad became part of the Great Northern system in 1907. The GN operated a mass of lines throughout Minnesota and western states.
The railroad served as a mainline, and continued to do so after the Burlington Northern merger.

In 1970, the Great Northern merged with rival Northern Pacific, as well as the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy to form Burlington Northern.
BN merged with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe in 1996 to form BNSF Railway, the current operators.
It continues to be known as the Lake Subdivision, with numerous connections to the Iron Range.
06/26/21


This modern girder bridge is largely not noteworthy. It crosses US-2 near Grand Rapids.
It was built in 2005 to replace an older girder structure.
The present bridge has some decorative features, such as a river stone pattern on the concrete substructures.

The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date 2012 National Bridge Inventory
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele



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