Historic Bridges

Approach Span for Ore Dock #6 (Bridge 69833)

History and significance

Bridge 69833 is part of the Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railway / Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway Ore Dock No. 6 Approach located in Duluth, St. Louis County. Constructed by the DM&N in 1917-1918, the DM&N / DM&IR Ore Dock No. 6 Approach is a multi-span, riveted steel deck girder structure that historically carried the DM&N / DM&IR Mountain Iron to Mesabi Junction (Duluth) line over several city streets in Duluth, to the Ore Dock No. 6, which is sited in the St. Louis Bay of Lake Superior. Bridge 68933 was designated in 1966-1967 after spans 46-48 were modified to accommodate the construction of Interstate 35 beneath them. The modification included replacing Bents 46 and 47 with a single bent, replacing Span 47 with new girders, and installing a drainage pan under the spans and a chain link railing along each side of the deck. The lower portions of Bents 45 and 48 were also encased in concrete. The Ore Dock No. 6 Approach is significant as a contributing resource to the DM&N / DM&IR Mountain Iron to Mesabi Junction (Duluth) railroad corridor. This railroad corridor is significant for the critical role it played in the transportation system that enabled the Mesabi Range to be the leading producer of iron ore in the U.S. for more than 70 years.

Location

City of Duluth (St. Louis County)
Latitude, Longitude: 46.75370204, -92.13720293

Bridge features