CN Nemadji River Bridge (South)

Located near Saunders, this large deck plate girder viaduct carries the former Interstate Transfer Railway across the Nemadji River. Built in 1910, the bridge consists of 48 total deck plate girder spans, spanning nearly half a mile and set nearly 50 feet above the ground below. From east to west, the bridge consists of a 40-foot deck plate girder span, 15 each alternating 30-foot tower spans and 70-foot clear spans, a 30-foot tower span, a 100-foot main span over the river, a 30-foot tower span, six more alternating 70-foot and 30-foot spans and two 70-foot spans. The entire bridge is set onto large steel towers, concrete pedestals and concrete abutments. American Bridge Company fabricated the superstructure, while local contractor W.F. King completed the concrete substructures.

Typical of spans from this era, the girders are heavily constructed, and a sheet metal deck has been installed on the bridge. The metal deck is supported by numerous parallel I-beams, which rest on the girders. The abutments use a traditional design, with flared wing walls. The pedestals use a combination of square blocks for a majority of the towers, and a low pier for the towers adjacent to the 100-foot span. The towers are composed of solid beams, which are connected by plates instead of V-lacing. Deck plate girder viaducts were used where a large fill would not be practical. These spans were the most economical and most durable solution to lengthy, tall bridges. Since the initial construction, the bridge has seen relatively few modifications. Some pedestals have been repaired with a concrete encasement or epoxy, while the connections between the towers and superstructure have been strengthened with bolted plates. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the size of the structure.