This was once a spur rail line serving lumber mills on boom island. The bridge was abandoned by the railroad, and purchased by a local investor. Interstate highway 335 was once planned to go through this area, so this bridge, and the contaminated land on the north side sat empty for many years. After I-335 was canceled, Boom Island was redeveloped, and this area was cleaned up enough to be a park. Now that the highway plans are canceled for good, the city parks department is working on a comprehensive plan to develop the river front between Boom Island and Old Main Street.

The bridge itself sits in a low area between Nicollet Island and the North river shore, both of which are 20 to 30 feet above the water level. As a result, it is hard to see the bridge, and few people know that it exists.