This bridge was built in 1909 by the Soo Line Railroad as part of its Brooten Line. That line ran from west central Minnesota into Duluth. In its day, it was a heavily used route that transported farm goods to the harbor facilities in the Twin Ports (Duluth and Superior). The Brooten route was shut down in 1990, and the rail line was abandoned in 1993.

The railroad right-of-way was purchased by the state, and the Soo Line South Trail was established. The trail started near Duluth, and has been extended southwest over time. The section that contained the river crossing was a gap in the trail as of 2005 when the upper set of photos was taken. That gap was filled in, and the new Soo Line Trail Bridge was formally opened in May of 2007. The Soo Line South Trail is open from the Lake Wobegon Trail near Albany, MN, all the way to the Twin Ports.