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UP Avenue C Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Avenue C
Plattsmouth, Cass County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Avenue C Bridge
Built By Missouri Pacific Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 120 Feet Total, 36 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Timber Pile
Date Built 1916
Traffic Count 5 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 462.20
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2019
In 1866, the Missouri River Railroad began construction of a 5-foot 6-inch line from Kansas City, Kansas to Leavenworth, Kansas; a distance of 23 miles. This line was changed to standard gauge in 1869.
Also in 1869, the Leavenworth, Atchison & North Western Railroad built another 21 miles to Atchison, Kansas. Both railroads became part of Kansas City, Leavenworth and Atchison Railway in 1880; which in turn became part of the Missouri Pacific Railway the same year.
In 1882, MP continued building northwards from Atchison, reaching Falls City, Nebraska City and Union the same year; a total distance of 149 miles.
Between 1891 and 1892, the Omaha Southern Railway, a subsidiary of MP built from Union, north to Gilmore Junction, near present day Bellevue. From here, it followed the Union Pacific route into Omaha, where the MP connected to several other routes.

The MP lasted until 1917, when they reorganized as Missouri Pacific Railroad. MP had a considerable amount of lines throughout the Plains States.
This line continued to serve as a mainline, until 1982 when the MP was purchased by Union Pacific Railroad. By 1997, the merger was finalized and MP ceased to exist.
Today, this line is known as the Falls City Subdivision, and is a significant backbone for Union Pacific.
06/26/21


Located in Plattsmouth, this deck girder bridge crosses Avenue C at the intersection of 15th Street.
Built in 1916, the bridge is composed of a standard deck plate girder span, set onto stone piers with concrete caps. The caps were likely added when the present bridge was built, and the stone dates to well before the present bridge. In addition, the bridge is approached by trestle spans on both sides.
Bridges like this were commonly used as grade separations across America, because of the ease of construction and long lives.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition with minimal deterioration. The author intends to return to this bridge for better photos.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Plaque
Contractor Plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele



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