The Sibley Bridge Company was chartered in 1888 to construct the large bridge across the Missouri River at Sibley. Similarly, the Mississippi River Railroad & Toll Bridge Company constructed the bridge across the Mississippi River.
The entire line became part of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1900. This mainline would see heavy reconstruction throughout the first decade of the 20th century. Reconstruction included tasks such as relocation and double tracking.
The line was critical to the development of the State of Missouri. The line provided the quickest and most direct route between the agricultural center at Kansas City and Chicago.
Throughout the 20th Century, the line remained one of the most critical rail lines in the United States. The heavy duty mainline saw guards during World War II, due to the critical connection between Southern California and Chicago.
Despite the importance of the line, the ATSF would see serious financial issues in the late 20th century. Because of this, they merged with rival Burlington Northern to form BNSF Railway. BNSF currently operates the line as the Marceline Subdivision; and it is a part of the greater Southern Transcon Line; completed in 1908.
The line connects to the equally as important Chillicothe Subdivision on the east, and the Emporia Subdivision on the west.
06/26/21
One of the only roads into the Fort Osage area of Sibley, Missouri involves crossing this bridge.
This medium sized pin connected Pratt Through Truss was recycled and reused from another location, likely where the Little Blue River Btidge currently stands, only a couple of miles away.
This location is presumed to be the original location of this bridge. The bridge there was double tracked and rebuilt in 1908; meaning an older single track truss built in 1888 was to be removed.
At the Little Blue River location, there is a single pier made of stone. This was extended with concrete by adding concrete. This single pier may give a clue to a past bridge at this location.
An identical bridge exists over this same mainline in Carroll County, and carries road traffic. The author is unsure if this means these structures were once part of the same bridge, or if it was a standard plan during the building of the railroad in 1888.
The bridge here is a single span, 9-panel pin connected Pratt Through Truss. The portal bracings of this bridge suggest Edge Moor Bridge Works; although this has not been confirmed.
It rests on concrete substructures. The bridge contains a concrete deck, which has likely been upgraded since 1913. The bridge was last rehabilitated in 1998.
The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the unique history. Unfortunately, the bridge is only a single lane. Replacement has been discussed several times over the years.
It is hoped by the author that this bridge can be reused or relocated; as it is a significant piece of the history of Sibley and Jackson County. The identical bridge in Carroll County was replaced in August 2020, but was given away to a local resident to be placed in a field.
The photo above is looking north across the bridge.