BNSF Trout Brook Sewer Culvert

Located along 4th Street in St. Paul, this small stone arch culvert was built as part of an early storm sewer project along Trout Brook in St. Paul. At this location, several railroads converged on St. Paul and operated extensive terminal facilities. The culvert was first constructed in 1862, likely as a double track stone arch culvert. In 1881 and 1886, the culvert was extended to carry six Great Northern Railway tracks. The culvert was again extended east in 1889 as part of the construction of the double track Northern Pacific Railway "East Side Line". The most recent alterations to the culvert came in approximately 1950, when a portion near the east end was lined with concrete and the west face was partially grouted, giving the culvert its present configuration. Currently, the culvert consists of a 10-foot by 7-foot stone arch culvert, set onto stone substructures and constructed for eight tracks at a width of 100 feet. The entire structure uses a semicircular design, although each face is a different design. The west face uses a stepped southwest wing wall and a tall northwest wing wall, which is integral with the former GN 4th Street bridge. The east face does not use wing walls, and instead is integral with a large wall, which also serves as the abutment of the former NP 4th Street bridge. In addition, the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway (Omaha Road) once operated a double track timber bridge at the west face of the structure, which was removed in the late 1980s. Stone for the culvert consists of a variety of sandstones and limestones, quarried at unknown locations. It is believed that the culvert was constructed by as many as four unknown contractors. Stone arch culverts were commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as they were durable and easy to construct. Since the initial construction, only minor repairs have been made to the culvert. Today, three tracks remain in use, while the others serve as access roads. Overall, the culvert appears to be in fair condition, with minor deterioration noted. The author has ranked this culvert as being moderately significant, due to the age and common design. This culvert is the oldest confirmed railroad bridge in Minnesota.