1882 BNSF/NP Bridge over Missouri River at Bismark, ND

(Bridge Hunter; HAER; Satellite, why is the Google Map marker so far away from the bridge?)

This 1882 Whipple Truss superstructure was replaced in 1905, but the piers are orignal. Nathan Holth found an historical bridge report.

The "High Bridge" has a 70' clearance to not only pass flood waters, but also ice jams. [MandanHistory]

HAER ND,8-BISMA,3--2, cropped

2. Photocopy, original in the possession of John R. Morison, Peterborough, New Hamphsire. Photographer unknown, September 1881. SOUTH WEB OF BRIDGE - Bismarck Bridge, Spanning Missouri River, Bismarck, Burleigh County, ND

HAER ND,8-BISMA,3--1

1. Photocopy from George S. Morison's The Bismark Bridge, 1883. NORTH WEB AND EAST PORTAL OF BRIDGE - Bismarck Bridge, Spanning Missouri River, Bismarck, Burleigh County, ND

Kevin Kremer posted
September 1, 1881--Work began on the NP Railway Missouri River "High" Bridge between Bismarck and Mandan
The east approach span was finished May 9, 1882. The west approach span was completed June 3, 1882. The center span was completed October 18, 1882. The final cost was $1.08 million. Between 200 and 600 men worked on it at any given time, dependent on what aspects of the bridge were under construction.
http://www.mandanhistory.org/arealandmarks/nprailhighbridge.html

Joe Dockrill shared

NPRR Photo Oct 1882 via MandanHistory

It looks like the river used to be a lot wider back then. The top photo in these notes also shows a wooden trestle crossing a lot of water.

Via Bridge Hunter

I presume it was the west side that used to be a shallow part of the river.

Street View

The wood trestle has been replaced by an earth embankment.

Ethan Akerly, Jul 2018

Marty Bernard posted
3. Northern Pacific Railroad bridge at Bismarck, ND Circa 1883. Photographs and captions from the Minnesota Historical Society.

safe_image for BNSF issued final two permits needed for bridge tear down and construction
"Tree removal has already begun around the existing bridge. The project is estimated to take four years to complete. The new bridge is estimated to cost $100 million, which is $40 million more than when BNSF started the federal permitting process five years ago."