Bridgehunter.com | BNSF - Little Falls Bridge (N)

Photos

Overview

Note, this is as close to the bridge as you can get regarding a photo opportunity. This was taken at the RR crossing on 1st Street NE.

Photo taken by Jason Smith in December 2010

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BH Photo #191769

Map

Street View

Description

This bridge was the second bridge built at this site. The first bridge was built in the 1870s. But it was not until 1891 when the bridge was replaced with this structure. Originally, the 1891 bridge had two pin-connected Pratt through truss spans. However, after a train accident in May 1974, which resulted in the east span to collapse into the Mississippi, BNSF (still Northern Pacific at that time) brought in the Warren truss span that had originally spanned the Columbia River in Washington state, and it was erected at the spot where the span went down. Today the bridge is still being used for transporting military equipment and troops to and from Ft. Ripley (located 10 miles upstream), albeit rarely. Given the military cuts that will happen eventually, it is likely that this line may be exempt and the bridge will eventually be converted into recreational use. However at the time of this entry, that plan has not come forth just yet. Story to be continued....

Facts

Overview: Bridge over Mississippi River on BNSF Railroad
Location: Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota
Status: Open to traffic
Future prospects: At the moment, the railroad is being used sparingly, which leads to the question of whether or not it will be abandoned and whether this bridge will be reused for a bike trail.
History: Built 1891; east span collapsed in train wreck in 1974- replaced with 1900 Warren truss span; still serves traffic
Railroads: - BNSF Railway (BNSF)
- Northern Pacific Railroad (NP)
Design: The bridge consists of two different spans: the 1891 (western- most) span consists of a pin-connected Pratt through truss bridge, whereas the easternmost span has a riveted Warren through truss design.
Dimensions: Length of largest span: 165.0 ft.
Total length: 335.0 ft.
Deck width: 18.0 ft.
Also called: NP - Little Falls Bridge (N)
BN - Little Falls Bridge (N)
NP - Little Falls Bridge (N)
Approximate latitude, longitude: +45.98502, -94.36203 (decimal degrees)
45°59'06" N, 94°21'43" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates: 15/394507/5093285 (zone/easting/northing)
Quadrangle map:: Little Falls East
Elevation: 6 ft. above sea level
Inventory number: BH 47575 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

Update Log

November 7, 2017: New Street View added by Dana and Kay Klein
November 2, 2016: Updated by Christopher Finigan: Added category "Pin-connected"
May 6, 2016: New photos from John Marvig
March 2, 2014: New photo from Jack Schmidt
November 25, 2012: Updated by John Marvig: Added information
April 29, 2012: Updated by Luke Harden: Added category "Northern Pacific Railroad"
September 19, 2011: New photos from Jason Smith
January 8, 2011: Updated by Jason Smith: Added information on the bridge

Sources

Jason Smith - flensburg [dot] bridgehunter [dot] av [at] googlemail [dot] com
John Weeks Highways, Byways, And Bridge Photography - Little Falls Railroad Bridge (North Crossing)
John Marvig - marvigj27 [at] gmail [dot] com
Dana and Kay Klein
Jack Schmidt - jjturtle [at] earthlink [dot] net
RR Picture Archives - Image

BNSF - Little Falls Bridge (N)