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| Name | Iron Belle Trail - Montreal River Bridge |
| Built By | Wisconsin Central Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Iron County (WI)/Gogebic County (MI) |
| Superstructure Contractor | Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company of North Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Substructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 182 Feet Total, 70 Foot Main Span |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 20 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Deck Plate Girder and Timber Pile Trestle |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry and Timber Pile |
| Date Built | 1898 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Open to Pedestrian Traffic) |
| Current Status | Open to Pedestrian Traffic |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 12/22/2016 |
In 1887, the Penokee Railroad (PR) constructed a 26 mile railroad from Mellen, Wisconsin to the Wisconsin-Michigan State Line at Hurley, Wisconsin. At the same time, the Gogebic and Montreal River Railroad (G&MR) constructed 7 additional miles from the State Line to Bessemer, Michigan. Immediately, the PR leased the G&MR. In 1888, the Penokee Railroad was sold to the Wisconsin Central Railroad (WC), which was reorganized as the Wisconsin Central Railway (WC) in 1899. This line provided the WC with a branch line, which served iron ore mines in the Bessemer area. Iron from these mines was shipped to Ashland, Wisconsin via the WC mainline at Mellen. In 1909, the WC would be leased by the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway (Soo Line), which itself was controlled by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP).
The Soo Line had constructed a large network of railroads, connecting the Upper Midwest with Canadian Railroads. Throughout the early 20th Century, this line remained a branch line for the Soo Line. In 1961, the WC would be merged with other CP subsidiaries Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad and the Soo Line to form Soo Line Railroad, a company controlled by CP. In 1984, the Soo Line would be reorganized as the Soo Line Corporation in advance of a pending purchase of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road). In 1987, this line would be sold to Wisconsin Central, Ltd. (WC). Known as the "new" Wisconsin Central, the railroad acquired several excess rail lines from the Soo Line, Milwaukee Road and Chicago & North Western Railway. The line was abandoned in 1997, and acquired for trail use. Today, the Hurley to Bessemer segment is used by the Iron Belle Trail, while the remaining line is used for ATV trails or is abandoned.
Located between Ironwood and Hurley, this deck plate girder bridge carries the former Soo Line Bessemer Branch across the Montreal River alongside the former Chicago & North Western Railway bridge. The first bridge at this location was likely a timber pile trestle bridge, constructed when the line was first built. During the 1890s, the Wisconsin Central Railway invested significant capital into this line, replacing aging wooden bridges with stronger steel structures. The present structure was constructed in 1898. Currently, the bridge consists of a 70-foot deck plate girder span, approached by timber pile trestle spans on either end. The main span is supported by stone piers, while the approaches are set onto timber pile substructures. The main span uses a standard design, with heavy girders and an open deck. Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company fabricated the superstructure, while an unknown contractor constructed the stone piers. Stone for the piers was quarried at an unknown location, and uses stone with a reddish color. Deck plate girder spans were popular for railroad use, as they were durable and easy to construct. Since the initial construction, the bridge has seen few alterations. In 2016, the bridge was refurbished for trail use, and a wooden deck and railings added to the bridge. Currently, the bridge is part of the Iron Belle Trail, which is open to non-motorized vehicles. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Builder and build date | Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company plaque |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |