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Rutledge Trail Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Kettle River
Rutledge, Pine County, Minnesota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Rutledge Trail Bridge
Built By Northern Pacific Railway
Contractor (Main Spans) American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By State of Minnesota DNR
Length 195 Feet Total, 80 Feet Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Girder and I-Beam
Superstructure Type Deck Girder and I-Beam
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1906, Approach Added 1947
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
NP Bridge Number 93.49
Significance Local Significance


Located near Rutledge, this standard deck girder bridge crosses the Kettle River.
Originally built in 1906, the bridge originally consisted of two deck girder spans and a trestle approach. However, this approach was upgraded with a steel stringer span in 1947.
Currently, the entire bridge sits on concrete substructures. Deck girders are commonly used in multiple span structures to cross larger creeks and rivers.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. It currently serves as a trail crossing.

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 Northern Pacific Bridge Book, provided by Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele