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BNSF Crow Creek Bridge (Fairfield)

Deck Plate Girder Viaduct over Crow Creek
Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Crow Creek Bridge (Fairfield)
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor Lassig Bridge & Iron Works of Chicago
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 198 Feet Total, 65 Foot Main Spans
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 25 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and Concrete Beam
Substructure Type Concrete and Steel Tower
Date Built 1899
Traffic Count 50 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 254.51
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2016


This large deck girder viaduct crosses Crow Creek on the east side of Fairfield.
Built in 1899, the bridge features a trio of deck plate girder spans, set onto steel towers and concrete substructures. In addition, the bridge features a modern concrete slab bridge on either side, which replaced an aging similar span in approximately 2000.
Bridges like this were commonly constructed along this route. Due to the simplicity of the design, it made a good option to cross larger valleys.

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 Double tracking of line
Build Date Missing Lassig Bridge & Iron Works plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele