By 1872, another line would be built along the east bank of the Illinois River, crossing the river at Peoria. This line was built by the Peoria and Springfield Railroad.
The two railroads finally merged in 1882, forming a beltway through the Peoria area. In the Peoria area, there were two crossings of the Illinois River (until 1912), both owned by the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway.
In addition, Peoria had 14 railroads entering town by 1944.
Through the 20th century, the PPU became a major switch railroad. Of the 14 railroads in town, the PPU switched all of them.
Because of the unusual number of railroads entering Peoria/Pekin; the railroad thrived.
Even so, the railroad continues to thrive today; being leased to the Tazewell and Peoria Railroad. This railroad is jointly owned by Canadian National (Ex IC Lines), Union Pacific (Ex C&NW Lines) and Norfolk Southern (Ex NKP Lines).
The railroad continues to also serve the Keokuk Juntion Railway; Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway; Iowa Interstate Railway; BNSF Railway and Illinois Midland Railway.
07/17/21
Located in Bartonville, this through truss bridge crosses Kickapoo Creek, near I-474.
Built in 1915, the bridge consists of a 6 panel, pin connected Pratt Through Truss, crossing Kickapoo Creek parallel to KJRY Bridge. The bridge rests on concrete substrucutres, and is approached by steel stringers on the east.
One unique feature of the bridge is the pin connected assembly. Pin connections largely went extinct in new construction by 1910.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with little significant deterioration.
The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
The photo above is looking east across the bridge, from a grade crossing.