On the south end, this route connected to a main line to Minneapolis. By 1892, an extension was made to Cathay, several miles further northwest.
This route became important for the young railroad, and provided a connection between Portal, along the Canadian Border, to Chicago. The railroad was a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Railway, which expanded the connections into western Canada.
By 1961, CP wanted to consolidate the subsidiary railroads. As a result, the Soo Line Railroad was formed by a merger between the Wisconsin Central Railroad; the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad and the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway.
The Soo Line inevitably grew larger through other purchases. However, it still remained a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific.
Even today, the Soo remains a "paper railroad". Canadian Pacific owns the route, and operates it as the Carrington Subdivision.
07/17/21
This girder bridge crosses over former US-10 and the former Northern Pacific route in Valley City.
Consisting of two main sections, the bridge was likely built at two times. A series of three deck girder spans cross over a former alignment of the Northern Pacific mainline, while a single deck girder section crosses the highway. The highway section was built in 1934.
The section crossing over the former NP grade dates to older, and was built in 1906. Additional research is currently being conducted to find out the date of this.
In addition to the four deck girder spans, the bridge rests on both concrete abutments and a concrete pier, as well as a pair of steel piers.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. US-10 has since been replaced by I-94 just south of this bridge, leaving the road underneath a ghost of the past.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the road it crosses.