For nearly three years, one of North Dakota's most significant private infrastructure investments has quietly taken shape alongside a 143-year-old railroad landmark as crews work around the clock to replace a vital freight corridor spanning the Missouri River.
Massive cranes rise from barges, long-reach excavators stretch over the water and crews maneuver steel girders into place as BNSF Railway enters the final phase of its $100 million bridge replacement project between Bismarck and Mandan. With trains expected to begin operating on the new structure this fall, construction teams are now focused on the final tasks that will deliver a bridge designed to serve the region for the next century, according to the BNSF Railway website.
The 1,554-ft.-long single-track bridge is being built adjacent to BNSF's existing crossing, which dates to 1883 and was constructed by Northern Pacific Railway Co. The aging structure has become increasingly limited by modern freight demands and no longer accommodates the size and weight of today's rail cars.
Once complete, the new bridge will support taller, wider and heavier freight cars while improving operational efficiency and positioning North Dakota industries for future growth. The bridge also was designed with wider piers capable of accommodating a second track should expansion become necessary.
Construction Accelerates Through 2025
According to updates on the Bismarck Rail Bridge Project's website, the project team reached approximately 75 percent completion by the end of 2025 after utilizing double shifts throughout much of the construction season.
Crews completed Abutments 1 and 13 while constructing or finishing Piers 8, 10, 11 and 12. Work also advanced on river Piers 5 and 6 and Pier 4, located between River Road and the Missouri River.
Meanwhile, crews erected girders for Spans 1, 2 and 7 through 12 and poured bridge decks for Spans 1, 2, 7 and 9 through 12. Additional embankment material also was added to support future track installation.
Today, the entire bridge substructure is complete, including all 11 piers and two abutments. Most of the bridge's 12 spans are in various stages of completion as crews push toward a late summer finish.
Equipment Fleet Tackles Challenging River Conditions
Building a railroad bridge while maintaining rail traffic, preserving river access and minimizing community disruption has required an extensive fleet of specialized equipment.
Throughout construction, barges have served as floating work platforms for long-reach excavators, cranes, bucket lifts, welders and pile hammers operating in the Missouri River. Crews assembled temporary cofferdams around future pier locations, allowing workers to create dry work zones for foundation construction.
Pile driving operations, some occurring overnight to maintain the schedule, have been among the most visible aspects of the project.
Onshore, cranes have erected massive steel girders while crews poured concrete bridge decks and constructed embankments. Construction trucks delivering fill material have utilized designated access routes along North Dakota Department of Transportation rights of way to keep heavy traffic away from local neighborhoods.
As work shifts deeper into the river corridor, lighting systems and navigation buoys continue guiding recreational and commercial boat traffic safely through the work zone.
"This is a significant project with 24/7 work, but we've made sure the river is clear for recreational and commercial boats," said Mike Schaefer, BNSF engineering manager, in a statement on the BNSF Railway website.
Final Construction Activities Under Way
The final stage of construction will focus on installing track infrastructure and commissioning signal systems.
Track crews will build the rail system atop the bridge while signal teams verify all systems are operating properly before traffic is transferred to the new crossing. Once testing is complete, train operations officially will shift to the new structure, according to the Bismarck Rail Bridge Project website.
The website also states that in July, crews will begin installing falsework beneath the existing bridge to prepare for its removal. The temporary support structures will stabilize the aging crossing while workers dismantle it piece by piece.
Throughout demolition activities scheduled for the summer and fall, BNSF officials said the Missouri River channel will remain open for recreational users.
Investment Supports Future Growth
North Dakota remains one of the nation's most freight-dependent states, with agriculture, energy and manufacturing industries relying heavily on efficient rail transportation.
BNSF officials say replacing the bridge will strengthen supply chains, improve reliability and support future economic growth throughout the state. The privately funded project also is expected to reduce maintenance demands and improve inspection safety for railroad employees.
The bridge represents one piece of BNSF's broader investment strategy in North Dakota. Over the past decade, the railway has invested more than $1.5 billion in the state's rail network and employs more than 1,100 people statewide according to the Bismarck Rail Bridge Project website.
As crews enter the final months of construction, the towering steel structure emerging over the Missouri River stands as both a symbol of modern rail infrastructure and the next chapter in a transportation corridor that has connected North Dakota communities for more than 140 years.
When trains begin crossing later this year, one of the region's most ambitious infrastructure projects will officially move from construction site to critical freight lifeline, ensuring the corridor remains operational for generations to come. CEG
