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Utica Rail Bridge

Double Intersection Warren Pony Truss Bridge over I&M Canal
Utica, LaSalle County, Illinois

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Utica Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Illinois DNR
Length 88 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Double Intersection Warren Pony Truss
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built 1890
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date June 2015


Located in Utica, this small pony truss bridge crosses the I&M Canal.
Built in 1890, this bridge was constructed to provide access to industry south of the I&M Canal.
The structure is a simple 7 panel, riveted Double Intersection Warren Pony Truss, set onto stone substructures. It has been abandoned since around 1980.
Since being abandoned, the bridge has been protected as part of the I&M Canal Heritage Area.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with some minor deterioration noted. It is hoped the bridge can continue to be preserved.

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

Extant I&M Canal Railroad Bridges
Upstream Marseilles Swing Bridge
Downstream La Salle Rail Bridge

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Rock Island Annual Reports
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele