Construction began in early 1863, starting in Omaha and progressing westward. Led by Thomas C. Durant, the route picked would follow the Platte River across Nebraska, and into the Rocky Mountains.
The main challenge of the eastern section was connecting Omaha to Fremont, a short distance. Yet the landscape provided many issues, with a hilly terrain.
By 1866, the road would be complete to Fremont. From here, it would continue west. It would reach the Central Pacific Railroad in 1869, at Promontory Point, Utah.
This completed the first transcontinental mainline.
By 1871, the Union Pacific Railroad aspired to build a bridge over the Missouri River into Council Bluffs. This would allow for connections to numerous eastern railroads, heading to Chicago and St. Louis.
The main connection was the Chicago & North Western, which built a mainline across Iowa, and to Chicago.
Because of the traffic this railroad inevitably would receive, an expansion was undertaken in the earliest part of the 20th century. This included double tracking the entire line to Fremont and further west.
The biggest portion was the Lane Cutoff, providing a straight route between Omaha and Waterloo, Nebraska. This opened in 1908.
The line survived the merger era with no alterations. By 1995, Union Pacific would acquire the Chicago & North Western.
Presently, the line is still one of the most significant mainlines in the country. It is known as the Omaha Subdivision, and is still owned by Union Pacific.
08/18/21
Another unique bridge in the South Omaha region is this structure, built to cross the former Missouri Pacific Railroad mainline.
Built in 1907, this bridge contains a riveted, 8-panel Warren Pony Truss. In addition, it is approached by a pair of through girder spans.
The substructures on this bridge are made of concrete. The main span is a heavily built up truss span.
Overall, the bridge appears to remain in good condition. There is another large truss nearby, and a third was removed in 1989.
The author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant, due to the large truss.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge easily can be seen from I-80.