logo

UP L Street Bridge

I-Beam Bridge over L Street
Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP L Street Bridge
Built By Chicago Great Western Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 126 Feet Total, 40 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type I-Beam and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Built 1964
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 5.98
Significance Minimal Significance
Documentation Date April 2017
In 1886, the Mason City and Fort Dodge Railroad began construction on a 72 mile line between Mason City, Iowa and Fort Dodge, Iowa.
The route served as a diagonal railroad in an area otherwise dominated by a gridline rail network.

Due to the success, the route would be expanded in 1903. Another 133 miles would be built towards Council Bluffs, Iowa.
By 1905, the route had attracted a railroad to merge with. The Chicago Great Western Railway purchased the line to access the Missouri River town of Council Bluffs.

The line served as the quickest way between Mason City and Council Bluffs. In Fort Dodge, a massive high bridge was constructed over the Des Moines River.
This landmark continues to exist.

In 1968, the Chicago & North Western Railway purchased the Chicago Great Western. Because Chicago & North Western already operated a considerable amount of trackage through the area, several abandonments began.
The first abandonment stretched between Council Bluffs and Harlan, and occurred in 1971. Another major abandonment occurred in 1977, between Carroll and Somers.
Between 1981 and 1983, the route was trimmed between Harlan and Carroll. More modern abandonments have occurred between Thornton and Belmond in 2000, Mason City to Thornton in 2005 and Somers to Roelyn in 2008.

Presently, a segment of track from Belmond to Roelyn exists. This route is known as the Fort Dodge Subdivision.
In addition, rail trails have been built along the line in Carroll County and are planned in Cerro Gordo County.
06/26/21


Utilizing a common design, this bridge features a I-Beam bridge to cross L Street. It was likely built in 1964 to replace a similar bridge.
Located on the west side of Fort Dodge, the single I-Beam span is set onto wooden substructures and approached by trestle spans.
This design is common on branch lines and even some main lines to cross roads, railroads and waterways.

The author has ranked the bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design of the bridge and newer age.
The photo above is an overview. It can be accessed from the road underneath.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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



Widget is loading comments...



© Copyright 2010- John Marvig and Contributors. All Rights Reserved