logo

Abandoned Dry Run Creek Bridge #5 (Burlington)

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Dry Run Creek
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Abandoned Dry Run Creek Bridge #5 (Burlington)
Built By Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Private Owner
Length 110 Feet Total, 55 Foot Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Stone and Brick Masonry
Date Built 1898
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Field Entrance)
Current Status Open to Private Traffic
RI Bridge Number 43
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date November 2016


This unique through girder bridge carries a field access road over Dry Creek, north of Burlington.
Built in 1898, the bridge consists of a pair of through girder spans, set onto stone and brick substructures. These through girder spans are heavily skewed, and heavily built.
While the abutments are constructed of stone, the pier for this bridge is a concrete encased brick structure. Nearby bridges have the same brick pier, which is a unique feature of these bridges, and the only instances noted by the author.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition. The deck of the bridge was removed and reconstructed with sheet metal and concrete, likely soon after the abandonment. A gate on the bridge prevents motor vehicles from crossing.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design. Despite this, the brick pier is a feature of which uniqueness cannot be understated.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge was accessed from the parallel road.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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