Pile–Pontoon Railroad Bridge, Railroad bridge in Prairie du Chien, United States
The Pile-Pontoon Railroad Bridge spans the Mississippi River with a combination of fixed piles and floating pontoons supporting railway tracks above the water.
Built in 1884, this engineering structure resolved transportation challenges by enabling trains to cross the river while accommodating water traffic and seasonal ice flows.
The bridge represented a turning point for regional development, transforming Prairie du Chien into a central transportation hub connecting Iowa and Wisconsin communities.
The bridge deck adjusted up to 18 feet vertically to manage river level variations, with trains maintaining a speed limit of 7 miles per hour during crossing.
Two separate pontoon sections, measuring 210 and 227 feet, operated independently through steam-powered cables to allow river vessels passage between sections.
Location: Marquette
GPS coordinates: 43.04389,-91.17583
Latest update: March 3, 2025 03:41
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