The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-09-02
FIND ROMANCE
IN BRIDGES OF
NORTH DAKOTA
First Crossing Of Missouri BY
Rail Made Here In 70.
Survey Shows

Grand Forks, N. D., Sept. ZAP
Motorists who 20 whi1xing across
some Of the numerous bridges in
North Dakota have little cause to
think Of the fact that q crossing of
the same streams meant days work
and real peril for the men who
pioneered IN this state. according to
bridge survey recently conducted
bv the extension department Of the
state university.
Even now. however, persons mo-
toring> in North Dakota can get a
taste Of frontier conditions because
numerous ferries still are doing busi.
ness and will continue to do business
until enough bridges have been built
70 meet the needs Of the state.
The first bridge Of any consc-
quence into the state was that be-
tween Moorhead and Fargo con-
structed in the spring Of 1872 by
tho Northern Pacific railroad. The
first train came into the state in
June Of the same year.
Made Crossing here First In 10
The first train Of cars to cross the
Missouri river 1t any point above
Omaha, consisted of an engine, an
observation car and five other cars
and made the crossing ut Bismarck
In 1873, the survey shows. Ties and
rails were laid on ice three feet
thick.
"A railroad bridge across the Mis-
souri, river was begun ut DisMarch
In 1881 and completed in 1882.
While the structure was in course
Of erection trains were ferried across
the river during the open season and
when it 3reEe q temporary pile
bridge was constructed for use dur
ingllhe winter.
Highway bridges across the Mis-.
souri, river. have cost $2,260.0OO OF
which $l,250.OOO was for the Liberty
Memorial bridge At Bismarck; $685.
1853 for the Lewis and Clark bridge
st Williston and $426.OOO for the
vercdryc bridge vt Sanish.
The Williston and Sanish bridges
eliminated two ferries which have
operated for years. Seven licensed
ferries continue in operation at Deep
Water Greek, Elbowoods, Rec, Man
haven, Stanton, Washburn and Fort
Kice. An unlicensed ferry operates
at Fort Yates. Another licensed
ferry operates at Cha. toner's ranch
on the Little Missouri river where
the next important bridge structure
in the state will be completed. This
bridge. located 10 miles from Wat
ford City. will cost about 100000
and will be 386 feet over all, includ-
ing two l74-foot spans and one 40
foot span.
Additional structures In prospect
are those across the Red River al
Grand Forks and Forge, the report
shows. Failure Of North Dakota
and ~Minncsota to agree on lOca-
tion has held up the Fargo struc.
tdre but the Grand Forks bridge will
be completed next year. the survey
shows.
At present, the extension depart
ment found, the ,bestN bridge across
the Red River Il At Pcmbina,. the
Oldest settled. part Of the state. n
is q ,cAhtilever structure which cost
abproxfmately 3l82.0O0. The bridges
o. Grand Forks and Fargo will cost
more than that figure, however:
'lhs addition TO the PembinA bridge
thefe are is other bridges across tho
Red River. These are located a
Drt9tVn.. Oslo, Grand Forks, two;
Belmont Climax, Neilsville. Shelly.
CaiedQnia, Halstesd, ,Hcndrum. tho
red bridge north Of Fargo, two ..
Fargo. Wild Rice, Abcrcrombic and
Wahpeton.