BNSF Superior Iron Ore Conveyor Bridge

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Conveyor crossing 39th Avenue

Photo taken by Roger Deschner in June 2018

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BH Photo #520501

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Description

Aerial conveyor belt carrying taconite iron ore from BNSF rail terminal to be loaded onto ships. Replaced bridge that carried trains to dockside. Crosses 2nd Street (US 2, US 53), 39th Ave, Osaugie Trail (former Northern Pacific RR, now rail-to-trail), Itasca Street. It is covered to prevent taconite dust from contaminating nearby homes and businesses.

(Owned by BNSF Railway, but does not carry railroad trains.)

Facts

Overview: Bridge over 2nd Street (US 2, US 53), 39th Ave, Osaugie Trail, Itasca Street in Superior on taconite conveyor belt
Location: Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin
Status: Open to conveyor belt and its maintenance personnel
History: Built 1966
Railroad: - BNSF Railway (BNSF)
Design: Enclosed conveyor belt
Approximate latitude, longitude: +46.68878, -92.02465 (decimal degrees)
46°41'20" N, 92°01'29" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates: 15/574580/5171042 (zone/easting/northing)
Inventory number: BH 96764 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

Update Log

February 17, 2022: Added by Roger Deschner

Related Bridges

GN/BN Allouez Ore Dock Approach (Predecessor) - (Photo there shows conveyor bridge in 1977)

Sources

Roger Deschner - rogerdeschner [at] gmail [dot] com
BNSF terminal serves rail, sea - Superior Telegram - Good description of the conveyor history and operation
Flickr - Details of operation of trains, ships, including construction of this conveyor bridge