A major piece of Bismarck-Mandan infrastructure is now officially in service.
The new BNSF Railway bridge across the Missouri River carried its first trains on September 16, marking the completion of a major infrastructure project that began construction in June 2023.
The 1,554-foot-long bridge cost approximately $100 million and replaces the need for BNSF to rely on the historic railroad bridge immediately to the south. The first westbound train crossed at 6:51 a.m., followed by an eastbound train at 8:25 a.m.
According to BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth, the bridge is an important investment in the railroad's ability to serve customers in North Dakota and throughout its network and will help facilitate interstate commerce.
What Does This Mean for Bismarck-Mandan?
Large infrastructure projects like this can have an impact well beyond the immediate construction site. The new bridge represents a significant investment in the Bismarck-Mandan area and supports the transportation infrastructure that connects our community with markets throughout the region and country.
The project also marks a significant moment in the history of the historic 1883 rail bridge, which still stands immediately south of the new bridge. The article notes that demolition of the historic span is now beginning.
For a community that continues to grow and develop on both sides of the Missouri River, improvements to transportation infrastructure are an important part of the bigger Bismarck-Mandan story.