Hi-Line Railroad Bridge

Hi-Line Railroad Bridge as seen from Chautauqua Park, Valley City

Originally called the High Bridge, the Hi-Line Bridge is a historic railroad bridge located over the Sheyenne River in Valley City, North Dakota. The bridge is 3,860 feet (1,180 m) long and 162 feet (49 m) above the river. Construction work began in 1906 and was completed in 1908. At the time it was the longest bridge for its height in the world. It currently remains one of the longest and highest single track railroad viaducts in the United States.

The Northern Pacific Railroad designed and built the bridge to avoid the steep grades into and out of the Sheyenne River valley. At one time, this was a main link in the railroad's coast-to-coast system and was important during both World Wars. To prevent sabotage during the wars, it was guarded by soldiers. The bridge is still used today by freight trains in the BNSF Railway system.[1][2][3]

Hi-Line Railroad Bridge
The road north to the baseball diamond near the High Bridge, 1908
The road north to the baseball diamond near the High Bridge, 1908 
The High Bridge under construction, 1907
The High Bridge under construction, 1907 

Coordinates: 46°56′20″N 97°59′41″W / 46.93889°N 97.99472°W / 46.93889; -97.99472

References

  1. ↑ "High Line Bridge | Official North Dakota Travel & Tourism Guide". www.ndtourism.com. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  2. ↑ Larson, Troy (2014-05-09). "Northern Pacific High Line Bridge #64". Ghosts of North Dakota. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  3. ↑ "BNSF - Hi-Line Bridge". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
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