Then in 1871, the line was extended 57 miles further north to Cedar Rapids. This line would form the mainline, along with the Cedar Rapids-Albert Lea portion of the line.
In 1876, the line became part of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway. The BCR&N was building many lines around Iowa at the time.
This line would start in Burlington, go through Sperry, Mediapolis, cross the Iowa Central at Morning Sun,
cross a Rock Island line at Columbus Junction, cross the Milwaukee Road at Conesville, have a junction of two branch lines at Nichols,
go through West Liberty, West Branch and Solon before arriving in Cedar Rapids.
In 1901, the BCR&N finished their connection to St. Paul, Minnesota by building north. In 1903, the BCR&N was purchased by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific.
The RI used the line as a mainline until 1980, when they fell into bankruptcy.
North of Cedar Rapids was eventually used again, same with a short spur near Columbus Junction.
The spur near Columbus Junction was abandoned in 2008 after part of a bridge collapsed due to flooding.
Today, from Cedar Rapids to Burlington is planned to become the Hoover Trail, which a few segments exist today.
08/15/21
This stone arch bridge carries a trail over Ely Road.
Built in 1887, the bridge has always crossed Ely Road. The structure is a single span stone arch, a more common design in Iowa.
Designated on the National Register of Historic Places, the bridge is a local landmark. The Cedar River Trail currently utilizes it.
Overall, the bridge remains in great condition. It sits next to a former through girder bridge, which crossed the former Chicago & North Western tracks. That has since been removed.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the high amount of historic integrity.
The photo above is an overview.