In 1853, the line was extended another 119 Miles to Geneseo, about 20 miles from the Mississippi River. This section crossed the Des Plaines River at Joliet and Fox River at Ottawa, and followed the Illinois River.
The remaining section of line was built in 1854, and went up to the Mississippi River.
The first railroad to reach west of the Mississippi was this one, as a swing bridge was built to cross the Mississippi in 1856.
However, the bridge became infamous for an accident in which the bridge collapsed after being struck by a boat. The lawyer who defended the young railroad? Abraham Lincoln, who would eventually become 16th president of the country.
The railroad renamed in 1880 to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, also known as the Rock Island.
The railroad operated this line heavily, extending it through Iowa towards Nebraska and the pacific. The line was the backbone of the railroad.
However, despite the seemed success of the railroad, it eventually began to fail. By 1980, the railroad fell to bankruptcy and abandoned all their property.
This line was purchased by the Iowa Interstate Railroad west of Ottawa, and CSX Railroad east of Ottawa to Joliet. Metra currently uses the Chicago to Joliet portion, for their Rock Island District.
Today, much of the line has been upgraded from the poor conditions it was at in 1980. It is operated as the CSX New Rock Subdivision east of Ottawa to Joliet.
West of Ottawa to Davenport, it is operated as the 1st Subdivision of the Iowa Interstate Railroad.
08/26/21
Located in the town of Ottawa, this bridge crosses the Fox River.
Reportedly built in 1919, the bridge consists of five standard deck girder spans, set onto stone and concrete substructures. The bridge was built for two tracks, although only one track is currently in use.
Girder spans are common for medium sized rivers, such as this one. Around 1970, four of the spans on the north (active) track were replaced by welded deck girders.
In addition, a fifth span on the east end appears to be different for both tracks, indicating this may have been an approach to an 1890s truss span, which would have been replaced in 1919. The date on this span is unknown.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with little visible deterioration.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream | Sheridan Rail Bridge |
| Downstream | Ottawa Interurban Bridge |