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CIC Ralston Creek Bridge (North)

I-Beam Bridge over Ralston Creek
Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name CIC Ralston Creek Bridge (North)
Built By Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway
Length 70 Feet Total, 22 Foot Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type I-Beam
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built Ca. 1970
Traffic Count 1 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Significance No Significance
Documentation Date August 2013
In the summer of 1903, construction began on the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway between the two points in the name.
With the line officially opening in 1904, it became critical for passenger service. Freight service was also major.
With the railroad finding a major success, they completed lines to Mount Vernon and Lisbon in 1914.

The line to Mount Vernon and Lisbon was abandoned in 1928 due to a lack of success. It was clear the railroad found success between the two namesake cities, but branch lines would fail.
In 1953 passenger service was discontinued.
With the railroad still going strong in 1980, they acquired former Milwaukee Road tracks through Amana, and the former Rock Island from Iowa City to Hills.

By 1984, the CRandIC invested in the former Rock Island Mainline, now Iowa Interstate.
Today, the railroad is going strong and is one of the top short lines in the Nation. In the past years, them bridge over the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids was replaced, same with the Clear Creek Bridge in Coralville due to the massive flood of 2008, which nearly devastated the railroad.
Today, the railroad operates 60 miles of main track and 40 of industry track.
06/26/21


This little bridge has almost no significance other than it exists. The bridge is made of 3 I-Beam spans.
Originally constructed as a spur, it appears the bridge was likely built approximately 1970. The three span I-Beams rest on concrete substructures.
The photo above is looking from the east end.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Estimated
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele



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