In Portage, the line connected to the major line connecting the Mississippi River at La Crosse to Lake Michigan at Milwaukee.
This line was owned by the Milwaukee & St. Paul.
At Madison, it connected to other Milwaukee & St. Paul system lines, including one towards Prairie Du Chein, and another towards Milwaukee.
By 1873, the line became part of the Chicago & Superior Railroad, who became part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in 1880, along with its other connections.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul used this line as a mainline, connecting its major mainline to its other mainlines at Madison. The CM&StP became part of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railway in 1912.
The CMStP&P was often a poor railroad, going by the nickname of the Milwaukee Road.
Since its eventual bankruptcy, it was purchased by the Soo Line in 1985, who was in turn eventually purchased by Canadian Pacific.
Canadian Pacific is the current operator of this line, calling it the "MP Subdivision".
06/26/21
This simple through girder bridge crosses the Yahara River in Madison.
The third of four through girder bridges across the Yahara River, this bridge consists of a single span set onto concrete abutments. Like the southern trail bridge, this span was built in 1904.
It was converted to trail usage at some point several years ago. Today, it continues to be a trail bridge.
Overall, the bridge appears to remain in great condition.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the trail it carries.