South St. Paul Swing Bridge

A brief history of the Chicago Great Western route between St. Paul and Mason City:

• 1885: 129 miles completed from St. Paul, Minnesota to Manly Junction, Iowa by the Minnesota and Northwestern Railway
• 1887: M&NW merges with the Chicago, St. Paul and Kansas City Railway Company
• 1893: CStP&KC sold to the Chicago Great Western Railway
• 1901: 9 miles completed from Manly to Mason City by the Mason City & Fort Dodge Railway
• 1901: Chicago Great Western leases the Mason City & Fort Dodge Railway
• 1902: Hayfield, Minnesota to Manly segment sold to the MC&FD
• 1909: Chicago Great Western Railway reorganized as the Chicago Great Western Railroad
• 1968: Chicago Great Western purchased by the Chicago & North Western Railway. Line becomes redundant due to parallel Minneapolis & St. Louis route
• 1977: Hayfield to Austin segment abandoned
• 1981: Austin to Manly segment abandoned
• 1982: Randolph to Hayfield segment abandoned
• 1984: Roseport to Randolph segment abandoned
• 1995: C&NW purchased by Union Pacific Railroad
• 1995-Present: Union Pacific operates the Manly to Mason City and St. Paul to Roseport segments as the Albert Lea Subdivision

12/03/21

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This swing bridge crosses the Mississippi River near Pigs Eye Island in South Saint Paul.
Originally built in 1910, the bridge has seen some alterations since original construction.
When originally built, the bridge consisted of a large through truss swing span, and a 7-panel, pin connected Pratt Through Truss. In addition, the bridge also had a number of deck girder approaches. The entire structure was set onto concrete substructures.
The bridge was upgraded in 1925, 1956 and 1982. Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) reports give a 1956 date for the rebuilding of the swing span, which had been undercut by flooding.
It is unknown why the original swing span was replaced, although flooding or a derailment are possibilities. Other alterations have occurred to the bridge, including the replacement of a pier damaged by a boat in 2017.
Currently, the bridge remains in service. Overall, it appears to be in good condition.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design. A higher rating was withheld due to the lack of a historic swing span.
The photo above is an overview. The photo below is the portal on the approach truss. Unfortunately, the east approach is not currently accessible.

Mississippi River Railroad Bridges

Upstream	Robert Street Lift Bridge
Downstream	Rock Island Swing Bridge

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These Pictures Start at Varying Points in the Series