The goal of the line was to connect to the Wisconsin Central tracks at Ashland, so a proposed merger between NP and WC could go through.
When NP went bankrupt in the 1890s, they stopped leasing the WC, and Wisconsin Central later found a merger partner in Soo Line.
The line was a branch line for Northern Pacific, who became part of Burlington Northern in 1970 after merging with Great Northern Railway, the main rival.
The line would be abandoned from Allouez to Ashland in 1985, and turned into a trail. On the Allouez side, it is the Osaugie Trail. From the outskirts of Allouez to Ashland, it is the Tri-County Corridor.
The very west end is still operated by BNSF Railway, which was the result of a 1996 merger between BN and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.
06/26/21
This unique bridge currently carries the Osaugie Trail between Superior and Allouez.
Built in 1904, the bridge was a through girder swing span built to cross over the Nemadji River.
While the swing span hasn't operated in some time, the machinery still appears to be in place. These small through girder swing spans were perfect for when regulation required a swing span, but operations would be minimal.
More uniqueness comes from the bridges apparent reconstruction in 1953. The former abutments serve as piers, and the trestle approaches rest on stone abutments.
The swing span appears to have all its operating gear still intact, but reports say the bridge has been bolted shut.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream | UP Nemadji River Bridge |
| Downstream | Confluence into Lake Superior |