The first Northern Pacific Railroad bridge at this location was built in 1885. That bridge got rebuilt in 1917 so it could handle bigger locomotives and heavier trains. In 1922, the old bridge was removed and the new Bridge #9, designed by Frederick W. Cappelen was constructed. In 1955 the bridge was rebuilt as to accommodate heavier and longer diesel-electric locomotives. The deck truss has been connecting the Seven Corners and the University of Minnesota campus for almost 100 years. The trains quit rumbling across back in 1981. At the turn of the century, the bridge was opened to bicycles and pedestrians. If you look along the south side of the deck, you might find the the words “North Coast Lim”. It used to say North Coast Limited advertising a Chicago to Seattle passenger train that operated from 1954-1967.
