Hi-Line Railroad Bridge

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Hi-Line Railroad Bridge ,
117th Ave SE,
Valley City, ND 58072
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The original line of the Northern Pacific Railroad descended from the east, crossed the Sheyenne River at Valley City over a low bridge, and climbed out of the valley to the west. Because of the depth of the valley, the grades on either side of the river were severe. To avoid these severe grades, the new or "High Line" was built one mile upstream.

At 3,860 feet long and 162 feet above the river bed, the Highline Bridge is one of the longest and highest single-track railroad bridges in the nation. Work began on June 30, 1906. The first official train crossed the trestle on May 12, 1908 and regular train service over the bridge began May 20th.
Because the bridge was of vital importance in moving supplies and men, it was closely guarded during both World Wars to prevent sabotage. In World War I, the bridge was guarded by Company H North Dakota National Guard of Jamestown. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, volunteers from the American Legion, VFW, city and railroad personnel took up the watch until Company F of the North Dakota State Guard was officially mustered in.

Engineering Facts:
14,000,000 pounds of steel were used
380,000 field rivets were used on location, excluding those used in the preassembled sections which were shipped from the factory
10,000 cubic feet of concrete was used in the piers supporting the steel columns
80,000 linear feet of wood piling was used under the piers for added stability
160 men were employed in its construction
$750,000 was expended on the bridge, more than $1.5 million on the entire cutoff project
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All Features

  • Availability
    • Open Year 'Round
  • General Information
    • Free Admission

46.938911, -97.994482

Hi-Line Railroad Bridge

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