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DM&E Upper Iowa River Bridge

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Upper Iowa River
New Albin, Allamakee County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name DM&E Upper Iowa River Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railway
Length 212 Feet Total, 155 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built 1986
Traffic Count 8 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number K-570
Significance Minimal Significance
Documentation Date December 2014
In 1871, the Chicago, Dubuque and Minnesota Railway began construction of the line from River Junction, Minnesota to Dubuque, Iowa.

At the same time, the Chicago, Clinton & Dubuque built from Dubuque to Sabula Junction. Combined, this line created a considerable sized line, able to connect to Saint Paul and Milwaukee from the North, and Chicago, Cedar Rapids and Davenport on the South.
Combined, the lines totalled 180 miles along the Mississippi River.

By 1880, both lines became part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. They operated this as a mainline, as they understood the importance of the connection.

In addition, the line extended to Davenport and eventually Kansas City.

In 1913, pending the pacific extension, the road name was lengthened to the Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railway (Milwaukee Road).

With the Milwaukee Road struggling heavily in the 1980s, they were purchased by the Soo Line in 1985. The Soo became part of the Canadian Pacific in the same year.
In 1997, the Canadian Pacific sold this line, and many others to the I&M Rail Link, which couldn't turn a profit. They were reorganized into the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern in 2002, which became affiliated with the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern.

In 2008, the DM&E became part of the Canadian Pacific again, who currently operates it as a subsidiary. It is currently known as the Marquette Subdivision.
10/24/21


Located near New Albin, this large girder bridge crosses the Upper Iowa River along IA-26.
Built in 1986 to replace an older pin connected truss, this structure features a through girder with trestle approaches.
Bridges like these are common to span waterways of all sizes, due to the durability and ease of construction of girders. In addition, large girders were oftentimes used to replace trusses during rebuilds.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in excellent condition.

Historic Photo
Historic photo of the previous bridge

The author has ranked this bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design and newer age.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Based on flood control project
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele



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