Pile–Pontoon Railroad Bridge, Railroad bridge in Prairie du Chien, United States
The Pile-Pontoon Railroad Bridge is a railway crossing over the Mississippi River that uses fixed piles and floating pontoons to support railroad tracks above the water. The structure spans the river and allows trains to travel between the two banks.
Built in 1884, the bridge solved transportation challenges by allowing trains to cross the river while accommodating river traffic and seasonal ice flows. This design was an engineering response to the Mississippi's natural conditions.
The bridge marked a turning point for the region, making Prairie du Chien a central transportation hub that connected communities across Iowa and Wisconsin. It became a symbol of how engineering could bring people together across a major river.
The bridge deck adjusted up to 18 feet vertically to handle changing water levels, while trains crossed at a restricted speed of 7 miles per hour. Visitors should note that the structure was built for train traffic and access may be limited.
The bridge featured two separate pontoon sections that operated independently through steam-powered cables to allow river vessels to pass between them. This split design was an innovative solution for maintaining navigation traffic while supporting trains.
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