Called by the Northern Pacific a "viaduct" rather than a bridge, this prominent structure of Barnes County was built in the years 1906 to 1908 inclusive.
It was built primarily as an alternative to the expense of pulling heavy trains out of the Sheyenne River Valley during the hey-day of heavy passenger travel and equally heavy freight business.
The "viaduct" is 3860 feet long, not including the wooden trestle at the east end of the valley, which is 120 feet long - thus the entire length spanning the valley is 3980 feet or twenty feet short of three-quarters of a mile in length. The maximum height is 160 feet above the river bed.
Thirteen months were consumed in the construction, using 6850 tons of steels and employing 160 men. 10,000 cubic feet of concrete was used in the piers supporting the steel columns. The bridge cost $750,000.
The structure was first painted in 1908 at a cost of $8,200. In 1962 the estimated cost to re-paint the bridge was $150,000. At today's prices, a re-paint probably would cost nearly the original cost of the bridge.
Of vital importance in both World Wars in moving supplies and men, the bridge was guarded to prevent any sabotage, especially during World War I.
A beautiful pastel colored stucco depot was built near the present depot upon the completion of the bridge but it was not used for long as the City of Valley City sued the railroad and forced them to run all passenger trains through the city. The depot fell into ruin and was torn down. Though freights continued to use the "viaduct."
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 332