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BNSF Heart River Bridge (E)

Warren Through Truss Bridge over Heart River
Mandan, Morton County, North Dakota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Heart River Bridge (E)
Built By Northern Pacific Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 297 Feet Total, 200 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 29 Feet (NP Measurement)
Superstructure Type Warren Through Truss and I-Beam
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1960
Traffic Count 15 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 0.76
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date May 2017


This large through truss bridge crosses the Heart River in Mandan.
Originally built in 1960, the bridge replaced a similar bridge which was relocated to south of Mandan.
It is believed that this structure was built as a flood prevention project along the Heart River. Currently, it contains a large 8-panel, riveted Warren Through Truss. This span is approached by I-Beam spans on either side, and the whole bridge sits on concrete substructures.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. Little has changed since construction for this bridge.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the lack of historic railroad truss bridges in North Dakota.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from a nearby neighborhood.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Northern Pacific Bridge Book, provided by Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele