logo

MILW Paint Creek Bridge #5

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 #5
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Allamakee County
Length 130 Feet Total, 49 Foot Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Half Through Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Built Ca. 1898, Relocated Here Ca. 1930
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned
MILW Bridge Number K-1392
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date December 2014


Located in Waterville near the Waterville Farm, this unique girder bridge crosses Paint Creek.
Originally built in approximately 1898, it appears that the main girders were moved here from another location.
Moving old spans to routes with lighter traffic was and still is a common way for railroads to save money. The half girder design is oftentimes created out of regular through girders during times of rebuilding.
Currently, the bridge consists of a pair of through girder spans, approached by trestle on either side, set onto timber substructures. It is believed that this bridge was moved here around 1930.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. 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
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele