Northern Pacific Railway Bridge No. 9 (Bridge 94246)
See features of the bridge
History and significance
The Northern Pacific Railway Bridge No. 9 (Bridge 94246) is a seven-span structure constructed in 1924 that consists of two steel deck trusses and five steel deck plate girders. The former double track railroad bridge over the Mississippi River was converted into a pedestrian/bicycle bridge in 1999. Bridge 94246 is significant for its configuration as a deck truss, which is a rare truss type in the state, and innovative reuse of 1886 pin-connected deck truss spans that were reinforced in 1924 with riveted deck truss spans. Additionally, the bridge is significant for its association with a movement in Minneapolis to separate railroad crossings from vehicular and pedestrian crossings.
Rehabilitation activities
In 1999 the City of Minneapolis converted Bridge 94246 from a railroad bridge to a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. At that time any existing rail lines were removed, the bridge was redecked, and a new railing was installed. Additional repairs occurred in 2012-2013 and included encapsulating Pier 4 in concrete and adding a new timber fender system around the pier. Steel rods and reinforcements were added to pier 2 at this same time. Future rehabilitation efforts planned on the structure include stabilization of piers 3 and 5.
Location
City of Minneapolis (Hennepin County)
Latitude, Longitude:
44.97774414, -93.24118316
Bridge features
Innovative reuse of original 1885-1886 pin-connected Pratt deck truss spans in 1922-1924 railroad bridge construction,reinforced with riveted Pratt deck trusses to create two new spans with four truss lines.
Deck truss configuration.