This is (currently) the only trail bridge on the island of bridges in Wausau.
Built in 1908, this bridge was built using relocated pieces. The bridge a 36' and 38' deck girder on either side of the main through girder span. In addition, the bridge has trestle spans on either side, and the entire bridge rests on timber substructures.
The four deck girders were moved from an overpass on the Iowa Central Railway near Melbourne, Iowa. This is one of a very few instances of one railroad reusing another railroads parts. Those spans were originally built in 1899 as through girders. The overpass allowed a short lived branch line to cross over the Milwaukee Road mainline.
The main through girder was an approach span of the Cedar River Bridge in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Three truss spans are known to have existed from this same structure, and all exist in Union County, South Dakota. This information also provides that the contractor of Lassig Bridge & Iron Works.
Overall, this bridge remains in good condition.
The bridge was re purposed as a trail sometime in the early 2000s, and is still serving that purpose.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the extensive use of relocated pieces.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream (Main Channel) | Merrill Rail Bridge |
| Downstream (East Channel) | Woodson Park Rail Bridge |