Click the photo to view the full-size version
| Name | DM&E Root River Overflow Bridge Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Bridge #K-700 |
| Built By | Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (final owner) |
| Superstructure Contractor | Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company of North Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Length | 225 Feet |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 10 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Through Plate Girder, Steel Stringer and Timber Pile Trestle |
| Substructure Design | Timber Pile |
| Date Built | 1928, north approach rebuilt c. 1985 |
| Date Replaced | 2017 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge has been Replaced) |
| Current Status | Replaced by a new bridge |
| Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Bridge Number | K-700 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 11/23/2013 |
In 1871, the Chicago, Dubuque and Minnesota Railway (CD&M) began construction of the line from River Junction, Minnesota to Dubuque, Iowa. At the same time, the Chicago, Clinton and Dubuque Railroad (CC&D) built from Dubuque to Sabula Junction, Iowa. The CC&D portion of the route was sold to Clinton and Dubuque Railroad (C&D) in 1877. Both the CD&M and C&D became part of the Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad (CCD&M) in 1878. By 1880, the CCD&M was deeded to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Milwaukee Road). Much of this line was located directly alongside the Mississippi River. In the late 19th Century, the Milwaukee Road had developed a large railroad network throughout the Midwest. This route served as a principal line for the Milwaukee Road, connecting several mainlines. This line also allowed for the construction of branch lines further west into Iowa.
The Milwaukee Road was often in financial trouble, especially after the costly Pacific Extension was completed in 1909. In 1925, the company declared bankruptcy, and reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1928. Financial hardship continued through the 20th Century for the Milwaukee Road, and the railroad again filed bankruptcy in 1977. By 1985, a suitor for the Milwaukee Road was being sought, and the Soo Line Railroad, controlled by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) purchased the Milwaukee Road in 1986. In 1997, CP would sell this line to I&M Rail Link, which was purchased by the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (DM&E) subsidiary Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad (IC&E) in 2002. The DM&E/IC&E were purchased by Canadian Pacific in 2008. CP merged with Kansas City Southern Railway in 2023 to form CPKC, the current owner of the line. Today, CPKC operates this line as the Marquette Subdivision. Under CPKC, traffic over this route is expected to increase, and the line has become a backbone of the CPKC system.
Once located south of La Crescent, this through plate girder bridge crossed an overflow of the Root River alongside Minnesota Highway 26. Built in 1928 to lengthen a concrete girder span which had become too small of an opening, the bridge featured a single 85-foot through plate girder span, set onto timber substructures. Trestle spans were added on either end, and the original concrete girder spans retained. At some point in approximately 1985, the bridge was reconstructed with a new steel stringer span in the north approach, and new trestle spans.
Through girder spans such as this were commonly used by most American railroads, due to the versatility and ease of construction. The bridge was replaced by a longer concrete structure in 2017. At the time of replacement, the bridge appeared to be in poor condition, with deterioration noted throughout the timber components of the bridge. It appears that the main span was salvaged for potential future reuse, and is currently set at the former Milwaukee Road bridge yards in Tomah, Wisconsin. The author has ranked this bridge as 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 |