logo

UP Turkey Creek Bridge (DeWitt)

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Turkey Creek
DeWitt, Gage County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Turkey Creek Bridge (DeWitt)
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor (South Two Girders) American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 412 Feet Total, 65 Foot Largest Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Stone Masonry, Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built Ca. 1900, Two Spans Replaced 1924
Traffic Count 1 Train/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 23.43
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2019


Located near NE-103, this large deck girder bridge crosses Turkey Creek and is one of a series of three similar bridges in the immediate area.
Based on other bridges along this route, the author believes the north span was built approximately 1900. In 1924, the other two deck girder spans were replaced with new spans of the same design. In addition, the bridge features a large trestle approach on the west end. The substructure of the bridge is built of stone, concrete and timber piles.
The two build dates (Ca. 1900 and 1924) are very similar to the Big Blue River Bridge less than a mile away. That bridge also had spans replaced the same year, and features both stone and concrete substructures.
Spans like this are common for small to medium sized waterway and roadway crossings. Simple to construct, they are also easy to maintain and will last 100 years or more.
This bridge is unique because of the upgraded deck girders. While the north span is deeper and considerably different appearing, the newer spans appear lighter, despite these two spans being approximately 10 feet longer. It is believed flooding or general upgrades may have resulted in the replacements of some spans.
Furthermore, stone piers and abutments seem to be rather uncommon along this line. Other spans built around 1900 feature exclusively concrete substructures, indicating the previous bridge here was also a similar structure, probably 1893 vintage. It is possible the north span could be that old.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. Little serious deterioration was noted anywhere on the bridge.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date (North Span) Estimated based on similar bridges
Build Date (South Span) American Bridge Company plaque
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele