The following year, the route was completed to Austin, Minnesota. By 1870, the route would be absorbed by the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.
The railroad became a part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The Milwaukee Road operated a number of lines throughout Southern Minnesota. This route was the main route to Iowa from the Twin Cities.
In 1915, the railroad was reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railway in 1928. This route stayed a secondary mainline until 1985, when the Milwaukee Road was merged with the Soo Line (Canadian Pacific).
Being a secondary route, the route was sold off in the late 1980s or early 1990s. In 1997, it became a part of I&M Rail Link, and later the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad in 2002. By 2008, the IC&E along with sister Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern became a part of Canadian Pacific Railway.
Currently, a portion of this line from Iowa to Owatonna is operated as CP, while CP owns the line from Owatonna to Faribault.
Progressive Rail leases the line between Eagan and Faribault. Union Pacific operates the route as its Albert Lea Subdivision between Rosemount and Comus. Between Eagan and Mendota, the railroad has been abandoned.
06/26/21
This large concrete and brick arch crosses Mud Creek between Faribault and Medord.
Located along an out of service railroad, the bridge has not been formally abandoned.
Built in 1903, the bridge also crossed a road. However, this road was removed in the 1960s, when the nearby interstate was built.
The main feature of this bridge is the large brick and concrete arch. This design was popular on medium sized spans, as concrete has a tenancy to weather much quicker than brick.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with some deterioration beginning. The future of this line is currently unknown, although Rice County has established an authority on obtaining the railroad right of way should it ever be abandoned.
The author has ranked this bridge being locally significant, due to the newer age.
The photo above is an overview.