Rosalia Railroad Bridge Explained

Rosalia Railroad Bridge
Coordinates:47.2222°N -117.3631°W
Location:crosses Washington State Route 271
Nearest City:Rosalia, Washington
Built:1915
Architecture:concrete arch
Added:July 16, 1982
Refnum:82004310
Mpsub:Historic Bridges/Tunnels in Washington State TR

The Rosalia Railroad Bridge was built by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (also known as the Milwaukee Road) in 1915 to replace an earlier timber trestle. The bridge was designed as a concrete arch, unusual for a railroad bridge, because it crosses the Northern Pacific Railroad tracks (a rival railroad), a state highway, and is visible from Steptoe Battlefield State Park. The railroad wanted an impressive-looking bridge.[1] The viaduct consists of two spans, separated by an embankment. East of the 334feet embankment there is a 114feet span crossing over the Northern Pacific tracks. To the west is a 502feet span that crosses Pine Creek, railroad tracks, and the highway.

When the Milwaukee Road went bankrupt in the 1980s. the bridge and right-of-way were acquired by the State of Washington.

The bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places due to its design.

References

Notes and References

  1. Lisa Soderberg, Rosalia Railroad Bridge, HAER Inventory, 1979.