This connection came in 1858 when the final track was completed between Portage and La Crosse. After the completion, the railroad filed for bankruptcy and became the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad in 1861.
While this was going on, a bridge was built across the Mississippi River for the St. Paul & Chicago Railroad in 1873. Soon after the completion between St. Paul and La Crescent (opposite of La Crosse) and the bridge, the two railroads merged forming the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. These lines created an extremely competitive railroad between the Milwaukee and St. Paul.
By 1902, the line was becoming increasingly busy. As a result, it was double tracked in its entirety between St. Paul and Milwaukee with the exception of the Mississippi and Black River Bridges (which were rebuilt that year).
In 1915, with the looming pacific extension the railroad was renamed the Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. (CMStP&P)
By 1977, the railroad was struggling mightily. This line was considered a core line, and stuck it out until the end. In 1985, Soo Line purchased the Milwaukee Road.
Nearly immediately, Candian Pacific, the current owners of this line purchased the Soo Line. Today, the line sees quite a bit of traffic. It is known as the Tomah Subdivision.
06/16/22
Located east of Bangor, this standard concrete slab bridge crosses an unnamed creek.
Built in 1910, the bridge consists of two concrete slab spans, set onto concrete and stone substructures. Both abutments reuse older stone from the previous bridge. It is believed this bridge was built when the Milwaukee Road double tracked the line through this area.
Spans like this were immensely common along almost every American railroad, due to the ease of construction. During the 1910s, these style bridges became a cheap and viable alternative for wooden trestles.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with some deterioration noted throughout the bridge.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design. The bridge sits just north of the La Crosse River State Trail bridge.
The photo above is an overview.