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BNSF Red Lake River Bridge

Pratt Through Truss Bridge over Red Lake River
Crookston, Polk County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Red Lake River Bridge
Built By Great Northern Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 185 Feet Total
Width 1 Track (Abutments Built for 2)
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Through Truss
Date Built 1906
Traffic Count 6 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 82.0
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date July 2012 and December 2017


This bridge was built in 1906 as a second span to an existing 1892 truss, which had been built by Edge Moor Bridge Works.
This bridge features an 8-Panel pin connected Pratt Through Truss. The 1892 truss was similar. The 1906 truss, which still exists features laced endposts.
These two bridges were completely different. One was built extremely heavy, and the other looked much lighter.
At some point before 1939, the second bridge was removed, leaving an empty spot in the abutments and a single bridge.

Historic Photo
Historic photo of the bridge

These two bridges both rested on stone substructures.
Today, the best views are from downstream on the north bank. These during times of low water can provide unmatched views of the structure. An example of one of these views can be seen above.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the low amount of trusses in the region, as well as the historical integrity.
The photo above is an overview

Red Lake River Railroad Bridges
Upstream NP Red Lake River Bridge
Downstream Confluence with Red River of the North

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Great Northern Bridge Book at Minnesota Historical Society
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele