The Chicago, Wisconsin & Minnesota Railroad began construction at Slinger, Wisconsin and progressed south towards the WI/IL Border at a point near Antioch.
In addition, the Chicago and Wisconsin Railroad began from Union Depot in Chicago, and headed northwards.
The two railroads were immediately leased by the Wisconsin Central Railway, which connected to Minneapolis. They became whole parts of the WC by 1899.
The WC was a weak company with a strong link, and desired to find a merging partner. One such company, Northern Pacific Railroad, fell through.
Finally, the WC was leased to the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad (Soo Line) in 1908.
This link allowed freight from Minneapolis and Northern Minnesota, as well as from the Fox Cities in Wisconsin to reach Chicago.
The WC ceased to exist in 1954, merging completely into the Soo Line.
However, with the Soo Line becoming affiliated with Canaidna Pacific Railway in 1984, and the purchase of the defunct Milwaukee Road, the railroad devitalized much of the core Wisconsin Lines.
By 1987, the entire mainline from Chicago to Minneapolis was sold to Wisconsin Central Ltd , a new regional railroad.
By 2001, the WC was seeing much success, and was purchased by Canadian National Railway, which it still operates as a subsidiary.
Today, the Fond Du Lac to Chicago portion of this line is known as the Waukesha Subdivision.
06/26/21
Like many other bridges in Chicago, this bridge, as well as its neighbors are simple steel stringer bridges, resting on steel bents.
Built in 1912, the bridge consists of six steel stringer spans, set onto concrete and steel substructures.
The bridge once crossed US-66, a major road to the American Southwest.
In addition, the bridge also borders the CSX Bridge and the UP Bridge.
Because the bridge is the middle of the three, it has not been covered up by paint or advertisements.
The bridge once carried a maximum of nine tracks, although five are still in use.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition.
The photo above is an overview.