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BNSF 20th Street Bridge (Omaha)

Deck Girder Bridge over 20th Street
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF 20th Street Bridge (Omaha)
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor (Main Span) Unknown
Contractor (Approaches) Vierling Steel Works of Chicago
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 105 Feet Total, 59 Foot Largest
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 12 Feet 4 Inches
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and I-Beam
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Steel Tower
Date Built 1891, Approaches Built 1953
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 17.73
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date January 2017
In 1871, the Omaha and South Western Railroad built a line from Oreapolis, Nebraska to Bellevue, Nebraska.
By 1885, an expansion would be made into Omaha. It would be quickly sold to the Omaha and North Platte Railroad.

The Omaha & North Platte desired to continue building west, reaching Ashland by 1888. They would continue north towards Fremont from that point.

The two railroads combined formed a loop, to allow Chicago, Burlington & Quincy trains to enter Omaha. The CB&Q mainline bypassed Omaha about 10 miles to the south.

The railroads became a full part of the CB&Q in 1908, which invested money to heavily rebuild the two.

The CB&Q continued operations of this route until 1970, when they merged with Great Northern and Northern Pacific to form Burlington Northern.

By 1996, the BN merged with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe to form BNSF Railway, the current owner of this line. It is currently known as the Omaha Subdivision.
10/25/22


This girder and I-Beam Bridge crosses 20th Street near the intersection of Center Street.
The bridge was originally constructed in 1891, although the approaches were updated in 1953.
Overall, the bridge appears to remain in good condition.

The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the road it crosses.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date (Main Span) Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Collection at the Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois
Build Date (Approach Spans) Vierling Steel Works plaque
Contractor (Approach Spans) Vierling Steel Works plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele



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