Northern Pacific-BNSF Minneapolis Rail Bridge

The Northern Pacific-BNSF Minneapolis Rail Bridge is a railway crossing over the Mississippi River built with a combination of structural types. It uses plate girder sections alongside a through-truss span to span the waterway while allowing river traffic to pass underneath.

The bridge was built in 1884 by the Northern Pacific Railway and later underwent major structural changes. Reconstruction work in the following decades adapted it for increased rail traffic and river navigation demands.

The bridge represents the evolution of railway infrastructure in Minneapolis, connecting industries north of downtown to the broader BNSF Railway network.

The bridge provides adequate clearance beneath its spans for boats and river traffic to pass through safely. Visitors get the best view from the riverbanks or nearby streets where the full structure is visible.

Between 1961 and 1963, a major section of the bridge was rebuilt with parts of the structure removed and replaced by a new truss span. These works demonstrated innovative engineering methods for modifying an active railroad bridge without stopping traffic.

Location: Minneapolis

Official opening: 1884

GPS coordinates: 45.00440,-93.27440

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:02