Both railroads became part of the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company (C&NW).

[1][2] The La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott, another enterprise of the C&NW, chartered to build from a point across the river from Winona to connect with the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad at Winona Junction in Wisconsin near La Crosse.

[3] This connection allowed through railroad traffic from Chicago into Southern Minnesota, without having to ferry cars.

It partially collapsed when the bridge tender failed to secure the swing span on the first day of operation on May 26, 1871.

[8] The Winona Subdivision of the Union Pacific is reached by trackage rights over the La Crosse Rail Bridge.