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NSSR Lester River Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Lester River
Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name NSSR Lester River Bridge
Built By Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway
Contractor (Main Span) American Bridge Company of New York
Contractor (Approaches) Lassig Bridge & Iron Works
Currently Owned By Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Length 165 Feet Total, 110 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 55 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry, Concrete and Steel Tower
Date Built 1944, Using 1896 Approaches
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Significance Local Significance


Located at the northeast end of Duluth, this large deck girder bridge crosses the Lester River.
Originally built as part of the original line, the bridge was upgraded in 1896 to feature a lattice deck truss and a deck girder approach on either side.
In 1944, this main lattice truss was replaced with an additional deck girder. This new deck girder also featured steel tower piers. These were set onto concrete blocks, while the abutments of the bridge were constructed of stone.
Currently, the 1944 configuration of the bridge is still in use.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. Little deterioration was noted on the bridge.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant.
The photo above is an overview. The area makes for unique photos with the beautiful surroundings.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date (Approaches) Lassig Bridge & Iron Works plaque
Contractor (Approaches) Lassig Bridge & Iron Works plaque
Build Date (Main Span) American Bridge Company of New York
Contractor (Main Span) American Bridge Company of New York
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele