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BNSF Brushy Creek Bridge (Dedham)

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Brushy Creek
Dedham, Carroll County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Brushy Creek Bridge (Dedham)
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 198 Feet Total, 90 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track, Substructures built for 2
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and Concrete Arch
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1913
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 400.00
MILW Bridge Number Z-1286
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2018


This large deck girder bridge crosses Brushy Creek west of Dedham.
Built in 1913, the bridge features a standard design. The bridge consists of a single large deck girder span, set onto concrete abutments. These abutments also serve as approaches, and feature two arches on either side.
These arch abutments are a standard plan for the Milwaukee Road. The advantage of this design was it significantly reduced the amount of concrete and reinforcement necessary, while also allowing a better earthwork around the abutments. From 1910 to about 1915, this design was common around Milwaukee Road routes.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good to fair condition. The substructures and superstructures appear to be better than average condition for this line, however timber cribbing has been added to reinforce the arches at the "piers". The second track was removed after 1934, and possibly reused elsewhere.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

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