A second line was built from Des Moines to Colfax in 1902. This new 23 mile route followed city streets and the Rock Island Railroad.
Another line, the Perry Route was built in 1906. Extending north out of Des Moines, the route featured two lines; one to Perry and one to Woodward.
By 1922, the IUR was reorganized as the Des Moines & Central Iowa Railway. Near the end of the decade, the route suffered significantly due to the depression.
The first passenger route was discontinued in 1941. Routes to Colfax and Woodward were reduced to freight only.
In 1946, the Woodward and Colfax Branches were abandoned.
By 1948, the route from Granger to Perry was abandoned. The last of the route was discontinued in 1954.
Local trackage around Des Moines was used for freight traffic by the DM&CI until 1981, when it was absorbed by the Chicago & North Western.
After this purchase, most of the lines were abandoned. The remaining routes became part of Union Pacific in 1995, when C&NW was purchased.
Today, portions of the route near Des Moines are trails, while others are operated by Union Pacific.
06/26/21
This overpass carries a spur track from the former Ankeny Subdivision over 2nd Avenue, on the north side of Des Moines.
Reportedly built in 1942 to replace a similar structure, the bridge consists of dual main spans, and trestle approaches. The entire structure sits on wooden substructures.
Being so low, this bridge restricts trucks from using 2nd Avenue. In 2012, a truck hit a beam of the bridge, causing damage.
When built, it is likely modern trucks were not taken into consideration. However, when I-35/I-80 opened just north of this location, the bridge became an issue.
Overall, the bridge is in good condition. The author has ranked it as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the road below.