| CN 4721 crosses the North Channel (Menasha Channel) of the Fox River via the former joint MILW/SOO bridge as it heads northeast at Menasha, WI on 12 Aug. '18. This perspective would have only been obtainable with a boat, until the new Loop the Lake bridge opened to the public (the ribbon cutting ceremony for this and the similar bridge in Neenah was held 23 Jun. '18). The former Graphic Packaging International facility, originally Marathon Corp., 160 Washington St., can be seen on the south bank of the river in the background. The oldest part of the facility was built in Apr. '47 to manufacture cartons for food packaging. The land had previously been used for stave and lumber drying yards for Menasha Wooden Ware. The facility operated continuously until the end of '16, when Graphic Packaging International abandoned 228 hard working Americans by moving production out-of-state. The Coveris facility, historically Marathon Corp. (originally Menasha Printing & Carton Co.), 271 River St., is partially visible on the north bank of the river at left. The piers supporting the former C&NW bridge (also in use by CN) are partially visible under this bridge. At left, a fisherman or two are plying their luck in the shallows. |