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Oliver Approach Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Viaduct over BNSF Railway Spur
New Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Oliver Approach Bridge
Built By Spirit Lake Transfer Company
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Length 390 Feet Total, 65 Foot Largest Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 60 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete and Steel Tower
Date Built 1910
Traffic Count 20 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Significance Local Significance


Located just west of the Oliver Bridge, this standard deck girder viaduct crosses a BNSF Railway track.
Built in 1910, the bridge features seven spans of deck girder, set onto steel towers and supported by concrete bases.
Bridges like this are common in this area, particularly for their ability to form long and continuous bridges. The railroad beneath is a former Northern Pacific line, which was the original main line into Duluth until a new route opened in 1906. It is currently a BNSF Railway spur.
Overall, the bridge appears to be well maintained and in good condition.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date American Bridge Company plaque
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele