The Chicago Great Western Bridge in downtown Des Moines, Iowa was built in 1887, as part of the Chicago Great Western's line from Olewein, Iowa to St. Joseph, Missouri.
The bridge was abandoned in 2001 after the bridge was found to be substantulally weaker than origionaly thought.
The bridge consisted of 4 skewed pin connected Pratt Through Trusses with X frame portal bracing, one being 185' and the other three being 180' supported by stone piers and abutments (with some encased in cement)
Mike Howard, who I had befriended in 2011 as he was demolishing the Carver, Minnesota Railroad Bridge which was about 5 miles from where I live.
It is sad to loose such a wonderful piece of history. But the bridge was a significant reason Des Moines flooded so bad in 2008.
The crumbling piers and rotted out deck were a recepie for disaster as well. This is a bridge where I can see both ways on.
The bridge was the scene of Mike smashing his exvcavator with a piece of metal and having to get the DNR out. He went to Arkansas for February and March to make up the losses.
For this page, I will feature my own demolition photos, along with the works of CJ's Photograpics of Des Moines Iowa, Matt Mazan and Andy Winegar.
My photos are #1-86, Andy's are #87-91, CJ's Photograpics are #92-156 and Matt's are #157-169
The photos above are mine from November 10th 2012.
These Pictures Start at varying points in the Series, for the Pictures taken by others
Andy Winegar Photos from 11/2/12
