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BNSF Bridge #34.1

Brick Lined Stone Arch Bridge over Unnamed Branch of Kansas River
Lecompton, Douglas County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Bridge #34.1
Built By Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 12 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Brick Lined Stone Arch
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built 1896
Traffic Count 6 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 34.1
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date September 2018


Located just east of Lecompton, this arch bridge is one of several similar structures crossing unnamed creeks.
Built in 1896, the bridge features a stone arch span, also uses a brick lining. This style of arch was commonly used to replace trestles, particularly in the late 1890s.
As the railroad follows the Kansas River, there are numerous arches of varying sizes like this one. There are two others in this immediate area that were not documented on this day.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. Unfortunately, heavy foliage prevented the author from getting as many photos as hoped. The author plans to return to this location eventually.

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 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway 1984 Bridge Records, Courtesy of Temple, Texas Railroad Museum
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele