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MILW Paint Creek Bridge #3

Half Through Plate Girder Bridge over Paint Creek
Waterville, Allamakee County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name MILW Paint Creek Bridge #3
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Lassig Bridge & Iron Works of Chicago
Currently Owned By Private Owner
Length 130 Feet Total, 52 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Half Through Girder and I-Beam
Substructure Type Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built Ca. 1895, Relocated Here Ca. 1930
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned
MILW Bridge Number K-1396
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date December 2014


Located in Waterville, this unique girder bridge crosses Paint Creek.
Originally built in approximately 1895, it appears that the main girder was moved here from another location. It also appears that the approaches, lightweight deck girders, were moved here from another location as well, and were originally built around the same time.
Moving old spans to routes with lighter traffic was and still is a common way for railroads to save money. The evidence of relocation on this bridge is clear, including the ends of the girder, indicating that it was once part of a pair. In addition, this girder is a half through girder, although that may be evidence of a rebuilding instead of having originally been built as such. Extra rivet lines also further indicate a reconstruction of the span upon relocation.
Currently, the bridge consists of a single through girder span, approached by a deck girder span on either side, as well as trestle spans, and is set on concrete and wood piers. It appears that the bridge was moved here from various locations in approximately 1930.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, and is likely the best built of several similar bridges along this route. Unfortunately, so far no information has been found on this bridge.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design, despite the history.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Estimated
Contractor Missing Lassig Bridge & Iron Works plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele