Beverly Railroad Bridge
The Beverly Railroad Bridge was constructed by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1909 during its Pacific Extension. In 1906, The Milwaukee Road began construction on its transcontinental rail line from Chicago, Illinois to Tacoma, Washington, which was completed three years later.
The bridge crosses over the Columbia River and was built on concrete piers above the water to provide clearance for any river traffic. The spans include 14 Warren deck trusses, one Parker through truss, and deck plate girders on the approaches. When the railroad electrified in the 1920s, supports for the catenary were added to the bridge.
When the railroad ceased using electric locomotives in 1972, the catenary was removed, but the supports were kept in place.
After the railroad went bankrupt in the mid-1970s and abandoned its lines in the Pacific Northwest in 1980, the bridge and adjoining right-of-way were taken over by the State of Washington in lieu of back taxes owed by the railroad.
The bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 because of its association with The Milwaukee Road.
The bridge is on the route of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, which follows the Milwaukee Road right-of-way through Washington State. The bridge is currently in the process of being renovated, and is scheduled to be opened for trail use in the summer of 2021.
