- 1880: 24 miles completed from Eland to Wausau, Wisconsin by the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway
- 1892: 40 miles completed from Wausau to Marshfield, Wisconsin by the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway
- 1893: MLS&W purchased by Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1907: 61 miles completed from Eland to Duck Creek, Wisconsin by the Manitowoc, Green Bay & North Western Railway
- 1909: MGB&NW acquired by the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1981: Marshfield to Wausau segment abandoned
- 1994: Weston to Duck Creek segment abandoned and sold to Wisconsin DNR for trail use
- 1994: Remaining track in Wausau sold to Wisconsin Central, Ltd
- 1996: Mountain-Bay State Trail opens between Weston and Duck Creek
- 2001: Canadian National Railway acquires Wisconsin Central, Ltd
- 2001-Present: Canadian National Railway operates the remaining Wausau trackage
06/16/22
This unique bridge is the northwest crossing from Barker Island to the mainland of Wausau.
Erected in approximately 1900, it is currently composed of a 110' long Quadrangular Through Truss, a 110' Through Girder and a 160' Quadrangular Through Truss.
During the flood of 1912, the center span was destroyed and replaced in 1913 by the current through girder span. Reports with depth finders have been brought to the author, showing the center span is still clearly submerged.
The former center span was similar to the current west span. Both of these riveted Quadrangular Through Trusses feature a lightweight portal bracing, seen on bridges built between 1880 and 1882, such as this one.
The east span has a much simpler history, as it once had an 1888 plaque on it. The two extant trusses and the lost truss all were relocated from unknown locations.
Currently, the bridge rests on concrete substructures. The two trusses also collapsed in the 1912 flood, but were salvageable. The west end of the bridge
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. It is hoped that the bridge can someday be reused for a multi purpose trail.
The author has ranked this bridge as being highly significant, due to the uncommon configuration of the bridge. In addition, the west truss is a highly significant piece of engineering from the early 1880s, uncommon on modern freight railroads.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream (Main Channel) | Merrill Rail Bridge |
| Downstream (Main Channel) | Big Bull Falls Rail Bridge (W) |