La Crosse Rail Bridge, Railway bridge in La Crosse, Wisconsin and La Crescent, Minnesota, United States
The La Crosse Rail Bridge extends 1,055 feet across the Mississippi River, featuring metal pin-connected Pratt through truss structures and a 359-foot swing span.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway completed the initial bridge construction in November 1876, with the Phoenix Bridge Company replacing the structure in 1902.
The bridge represents early American engineering achievements, demonstrating the evolution of transportation infrastructure across the Mississippi River during the industrial expansion period.
A bridge tender operates the structure 24 hours daily to coordinate between an average of 3,400 annual train crossings and river vessels requiring passage.
The swing mechanism opens approximately every five minutes for river traffic, which maintains right-of-way priority over railroad operations according to navigation regulations.
Location: Wisconsin
Location: Minnesota
Official opening: 1876
GPS coordinates: 43.83240,-91.25890
Latest update: March 6, 2025 07:35
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