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Chad Ver Steeg with Ver Steeg Excavation of Luverne spent several days over the past two weeks removing six former railway pillars in the Rock River south of the Luverne City Park. The project was a collaborative effort between the Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the city of Luverne and two private landowners to restore the river back to its natural course. Cost of the project was $25,000.
The pillars were constructed in the early 1900s as a railroad bridge over the Rock River. The railroad ceased to exist in the 1940s and the bridge deck, rails and railroad ties were removed. The pillars, made from blocks of sandstone, remained, causing water currents to erode a “scour hole” in the east bank of the river.
Ver Steeg said the pillars were more solid than he thought, withstanding decades in the elements and flowing water fairly well. Due to the current low river water levels, Ver Steeg was able to drive the excavator onto the sandbar that developed in front of the pillars. He used the sandstone block to create a rip-rap along the scour hole area to lessen the developing bank erosion. Ver Steeg’s bid to complete the work was the lowest of three submissions.