This new route used a direct path between Albert Lea and St. Paul, and paralleled a nearby Milwaukee Road route.
In June of 1903, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad purchased the BCRN. The Rock Island utilized this route as a main line to connect to the Twin Cities.
Unfortunately for the Rock Island, it was never able to lure customers in the Saint Paul area to its facilities. As a result, it became more of a bridge railroad, connecting towns.
With a steady decline in company finances through the decades before, the Rock Island Railroad filed for bankruptcy in 1980. All Rock Island properties were shut down, and most salvaged.
This route became a contested route connecting the Twin Cities with Des Moines and Kansas City. In 1983, the Chicago & North Western Railway won the rights to the entire right of way between Kansas City and St. Paul. Rehabilitation work started soon after.
Extensive rebuilding of the line was necessary, as the Rock Island had not been maintaining properties for some years prior. This route required less extensive work than others, but still required a great deal of work to make operational.
In 1996, the C&NW was purchased by Union Pacific Railroad. Union Pacific currently owns this route, and it is known as the Albert Lea Subdivision. It continues to connect St. Paul and Kansas City.
06/26/21
Crossing Mud Creek south of Faribault, this three span steel stringer bridge utilizes a common design.
This bridge utilizes a common design, using three steel stringer spans. One span has printing giving a painting date of 1947. Judging by these beams, that date may be appropriate.
The substructures of the bridge are concrete piles. While it appears that the bridge may date to 1947, it is also possible it is older or was built using spare parts at a later date.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition.
The author has ranked the bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design and unknown history.
The photo above is an overview.