The same year, the route was extended to Menomonie from Red Cedar Junction.
The route was completed to Chippewa Falls by 1883, but never was extended north to Superior. It was purchased by Milwaukee Road.
At Reeds Landing, a large pontoon bridge allowed bridges to cross the Mississippi River.
By 1882, the railroad was purchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. Known as the Milwaukee Road, this route became a spur for the railroad giant.
The Milwaukee Road was renamed the Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railway in 1915. By 1951, the Pontoon Bridge was dealt a severe blow by ice, and the line was abandoned from Durand to Wabasha.
The remaining portion was purchased by the State of Wisconsin in 1979, and was operated by private owners. Despite the promise, a bridge strength issue in Eau Claire would not allow train operations to be feasible, and the route was abandoned in 1981.
In the 1980s, Wisconsin turned it into a trail, and by 2004 the trail was complete to Eau Claire. The Red Cedar branch is also used as a trail.
These trails are named the Chippewa Valley and Red Cedar State Trails.
10/25/22
Located just south of Menomonie, this small pony truss bridge crosses Gilbert Creek along the Red Cedar State Trail.
Originally built in 1900 as part of a three span bridge over the Wapsipinicon River at Olin, Iowa; this span was moved to Bridge #G-1900 in 1914 to cross the Copper River on a logging spur in Northern Wisconsin. When that line was abandoned, this span was sent to the current location.
The bridge consists of a 6-panel, pin connected Pratt Pony Truss, set onto timber piers and approached by trestle
At least one other span from Olin is known to exist, located near Merrill, Wisconsin. The third span was reused at Bridge #G-1904 across the New Wood River on the same line as the Copper River Bridge, but it is unknown what happened to that span.
Railroads oftentimes reused material, particularly along branch lines. This truss design was a standard design, and dozens were constructed. Today, many still exist.
Overall, the bridge appears to remain in good condition. It is located near the back side of Riverside park, just off WI-29.
The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the relocation history.
The photo above is an overview of the deck level of the truss.