This bridge was first built by the Minnesota & International Railroad, which ran a line between Bemidji and International Falls. It was rebuilt in 1920 and 1937, and again in 1971 and 1980 by the Burlington Northern.

Bridge is currently owned by the State of Minnesota as part of the Paul Bunyan Trail. The bridge first reopened in 1991. It was redecked and paved in 1996. The Paul Bunyan trail runs for 100 miles between Brainerd and Lake Bemidji Park, 80 miles of which are paved. From Lake Bemidji, the Blue Ox Trail continues all the way to International Falls as an ATV trail. This bridge shares the honor (with the Highway 19 bridge just a few hundred feet to the east) of being the northernmost bridge to cross the mighty Mississippi River.