[2] It was nominated for its exceptional dimensions, beauty, innovative engineering techniques, and importance to transportation between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

[3] The bridge was the second bridge on a Wisconsin Central Railway line that connected Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, with Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This made it necessary to use helper engines and to make trains shorter.

In 1909 the Wisconsin Central Railway built a higher bridge over the river.

[4] The Wisconsin Central Railway was leased by the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste.