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BNSF Dahlman Avenue Bridge (N)

Girder Bridge over Dahlman Avenue and Union Pacific Railroad
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Dahlman Avenue Bridge (N)
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor Shiffler Bridge Company of Pittsburgh
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 370 Feet Total, 76 Foot Largest Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through and Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Steel Tower
Date Built 1893
Traffic Count 6 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 19.48
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date September 2016
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 unique bridge crosses over Dahlman Avenue, a Union Pacific wye as well as a former Missouri Pacific mainline.
Built in 1893, this is believed to be the original bridge at this location. The bridge contains five deck girder spans and a single through girder span.
Sitting on stone and steel substructures, the bridge uses an interesting combination of piers. It is worth noting that the National Bridge Inventory says this bridge was built in 1935. However, all BNSF bridges in Omaha are listed as 1935, even ones that have date stamps indicating other dates.
Overall, the bridge appears to remain in good condition. However, the southernmost span appears to be in poor condition, being supported by an extra wooden pile pier.

The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design. In addition to this structure, there once was a large truss built in 1917 just north of this bridge.
However, that bridge was removed in 1989. Pictures can be seen at the end of the above set, courtesy of the Chicago & North Western Historical Society.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the road it crosses.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Collection at the Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois
Contractor Missing Shiffler Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele



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