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Mandan Rail Bridge (S)

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

See this bridge and more like it at John Marvig Railroad Bridge Photography
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Name Mandan Rail Bridge (S)
Built By Northern Pacific Railroad
Contractor Universal Construction Company of Chicago
Currently Owned By Fort Lincoln Trolley
Length 295 Feet Total, 200 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 21 Feet (NP Measurement)
Superstructure Type Pratt Through Truss and Deck Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1898, Relocated Here 1960
Original Location 1st Heart River Crossing
Traffic Count Less than 1 Train/Day (Estimated)
Current Status Used Sparingly
NP Bridge Number 1
Significance Regional Significance
Documentation Date May 2017


This large through truss bridge crosses a former channel of the Heart River in Mandan.
Originally built in 1898, the bridge was located east of Mandan.
However, the original location of the bridge was on a heavily used mainline. In 1960, it was decided that this bridge was not a good fit for that location, and it was relocated to its present location.
It is unknown why the bridge was decidedly not a good fit at the former location, as another pin connected truss sits nearby and still exists.
In its current location, the bridge features the relocated 8-panel pin connected Pratt Through Truss. In addition, a pair of deck girder spans were added to either side. The entire bridge sits on concrete substructures.
When it was relocated, the bridge was intended to cross a flood channel. However, this flood channel was never completed.
Overall, the bridge remains in very good condition. The structure still retains a plaque for the Universal Construction Company of Chicago.

The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the lack of historic or relocated railroad truss bridges in North Dakota.
The photo above is looking north across the bridge. The bridge can be accessed by walking down the railroad, which also appears to serve as a nature trail for Mandan residents.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Relocation Build Date Northern Pacific Bridge Book, provided by Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association
Original Build Date Universal Construction Company of Chicago plaque
Builder Universal Construction Company of Chicago plaque
Builder Northern Pacific Bridge Book, provided by Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele