CPKC Cottonwood River Bridge (New Ulm)

New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota

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Name	CPKC Cottonwood River Bridge (New Ulm) Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge #M-1703
Built By	Chicago & North Western Railway
Currently Owned By	Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited
Superstructure Contractor	Modern Steel Structural Company of Waukesha, Wisconsin
Substructure Contractor	Unknown
Length	735 Feet Total, 157 Foot Largest Span
Width	1 Track
Height Above Ground	25 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Design	Quadrangular Lattice Through Truss and Timber Pile Trestle
Substructure Design	Stone Masonry, Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built	1913
Traffic Count	6 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status	Open to Traffic
Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge Number	M-1703
Significance	Regional Significance
Documentation Date	8/27/2011; 5/30/2015

In 1864, 50 miles of new railroad was completed from Winona to Rochester, Minnesota by the Winona and Saint Peter Railway (W&StP). The following year, an additional 55 miles was completed to Waseca. The Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW) would purchase a controlling stake in the W&StP in 1867. Construction would continue in 1870, with an additional 11 miles completed between Waseca and Janesville. The following year, 23 additional miles were opened to Mankato, followed by 30 additional miles completed to New Ulm in 1872. 62 more miles were completed to Tracy, Minnesota in 1879.
From Tracy, the route would be continued westwards in 1879, with numerous branch lines built off the main line. In 1900, the Mankato & New Ulm Railway (M&NU) would complete a new route, 26 miles in length between Mankato and New Ulm. This new line bypassed the old line, which used two large iron bridges to cross the Minnesota River. The W&StP and M&NU would be consolidated into the C&NW in June 1900. The C&NW operated this route as the main line of the Dakota Division, eventually operating the passenger train the "Dakota 400" over the route. Because the original line between Mankato and New Ulm was not considered necessary, the line was abandoned in stages. The first segment abandoned was between Burdette (Mankato) and Kasota, followed by the Kasota to St. Peter segment in 1957. The line was further abandoned between St. Peter and Traverse in 1963, and between Traverse and the New Ulm Quarry in 1970.
As the line became less profitable in the 1970s and 1980s, the C&NW was considering abandoning the route. In 1986, the line between Winona and Rapid City, South Dakota would be sold to the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad. The DM&E would be purchased by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) in 2008. In 2023, CP merged with Kansas City Southern to form Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, commonly known as CPKC. CPKC continues to operate the Waseca to Tracy segment as the Tracy Subdivision.

Located on the east side of New Ulm, this large through truss bridge is the eastern crossing of the Cottonwood River along this route. The first bridge at this location consisted of a wooden truss, set onto stone piers and approached by timber pile trestle spans. In 1913, the original bridge would be replaced by the current structure. The bridge consists of a 157-foot and a 148-foot, riveted quadrangular lattice through trusses, set onto stone piers and a concrete west abutment. In addition, the bridge is approached by a lengthy timber pile trestle on the east end. The trusses feature typical designs of a C&NW 20th Century quadrangular through truss span, such as an A-frame portal, riveted connections and heavy built-up members. The superstructure was fabricated by the Modern Structural Steel Company, a relatively obscure builder. The stone piers and concrete abutments were both built by unknown contractors.

This type of truss bridge is relatively uncommon throughout the United States. However, a few railroads preferred the design, such as the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway (Rock Island) and the C&NW. The first generation of this design used on the C&NW featured a lattice portal bracing, light sway bracing and laced members, and was typically constructed between 1878 and 1884. The second generation was nearly exclusively constructed by Lassig Bridge & Iron Works between 1884 and 1900, and featured heavier members and a pedimented portal bracing. While the design fell out of favor around 1900 for the Rock Island, the design remained popular with the C&NW into the 1920s. 20th Century versions of this design were even heavier, using A-frame portals and massive members. This particular bridge was fabricated by Modern Structural Steel Company, a relatively unknown builder. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the truss design and obscure builder.

Citations

Builder and build date	Chicago & North Western Valuation Notes at the Chicago & North Western Historical Society Archives
Railroad History Citation	ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele