Soo Line Rail Bridge at Blanchard Dam

The Soo Line Rail Bridge (Blanchard Dam) is a steel deck truss bridge, built by the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway in 1909. The bridge crosses the Mississippi River northeast of Bowlus, Minnesota. The rail line was abandoned in 1993, and converted to a pedestrian/bicycle bridge as part of the Soo Line Recreation Trail in 2007.[2] The bridge is directly downstream of the Blanchard Dam.

Soo Line Rail Bridge at Blanchard Dam
The Soo Line Bridge with the Blanchard Dam in the background.
Coordinates45°51′37″N 94°21′35″W / 45.86028°N 94.35972°W / 45.86028; -94.35972
CarriesPedestrian/bike/ATV trail
CrossesMississippi River
Maintained byMinnesota Department of Natural Resources[1]
Characteristics
DesignDeck truss bridge
Total length605 feet (184 m)[1]
Width1 track/2 trail lanes
Longest span105 feet (32 m)[1]
Clearance below50 feet (15 m)[1]
History
Opened1909
Location
Map

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Soo Line Bridge at Blanchard". John Marvig Railroad Bridge Photography. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  2. ^ "Morrison County, MN: Parks, Trails & Facilities". Retrieved 2018-04-17.
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