logo

BNSF 48th Street Bridge

Through Plate Girder Bridge over N. 48th Street
Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF 48th Street Bridge
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor (Superstructure) Omaha Steel Works of Omaha
Contractor (Substructure) Robinson Contractors of Lincoln, Nebraska
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 130 Feet Total, 60 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder and I-Beam
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1938
Traffic Count 45 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 55.58
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2019


Located at the intersection of Cornhusker Highway (US-6) on the northeast side of Lincoln, this girder bridge crosses N. 48th Street.
Built in 1938, the bridge features a through girder span, approached by a steel stringer span on either side. The entire bridge is set onto concrete substructures, and features a ballasted deck.
The plaque found suggests this bridge was built by Omaha Steel Works. This is the only known railroad bridge built by Omaha Steel Works, although this company did build several other highway bridges.
Built as a late depression era grade separation, the bridge features a few decorative features, and a stamp of the "Burlington Route" on the piers. At one time, the Rock Island had a similar structure immediately south of here. That bridge was removed prior to 1993.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration noted.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

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