This new line would be completed in a staggering 208 days, opening in early 1899. The line was owned by the D&SC (which was a subsidiary of Illinois Central).
The line was also the most significant branch off the D&SC mainline through Iowa.
The new line connected mainly rural areas, and crossed into Omaha on a swing bridge over the Missouri River.
This bridge was leased from the Omaha Bridge and Terminal Railway Company.
When completed, the line was regarded as a mainline, connecting Nebraska to Chicago. East of Tara, the line connected Waterloo, Dubuque and Chicago.
By 1947, the IC fully absorbed any remains of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad. IC became the sole operator and proprietor of this line.
In 1972, the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio merged with IC to form the Illinois Central Gulf.
In 1985, operations of the ICG western division (west from Chicago) was spun off into the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad.
By 1996, the railroad was repurchased by Illinois Central. Canadian National Railway purchased Illinois Central in 1999, and continues to operate the line as the Omaha Subdivision.
06/26/21
Located between Logan and Woodbine, this large girder bridge has changed significantly since the original construction
First built in 1899 to cross the Chicago & North Western, the bridge originally consisted of a large Pratt Through Truss, approached by two deck girder spans on the north end. The north approach was rebuilt with the current spans in 1948, and a through girder span replaced the truss between 1973 and 1982.
The bridge runs at a significant skew. In addition, the substructures on the bridge are a combination of stone and concrete.
In addition to crossing present day Union Pacific, the girder spans also cross Perry Trail. The southern girder span features a fishbelly end to align with the through girder span.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration noted.
The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design and newer age. Unfortunately, the deck girders are the only historic component remaining on this bridge.
The photo above is an overview.