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CN E. Fork Galena River Bridge #4

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over E. Fork Galena River
Near Council Hill, Jo Daviess County, Illinois

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name CN E. Fork Galena River Bridge #4
Built By Illinois Central Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Length 119 Feet Total, 57 Foot Largest Span
Width 1 Track, Substructures Built for 2
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Steel Tower and Concrete
Date Built 1921
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
CN Bridge Number 158.1
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date April 2018


Located in Council Hill, a historic station east of Galena, this unusual deck girder bridge is the fourth crossing of the East Fork Galena River.
Built in 1921 to replace an older bridge of unknown design, this bridge features three deck girder spans. In addition, the bridge rests on steel tower piers, and concrete substructures.
The design is unusual for a bridge where concrete piers would have also been economical. The substructures are built for a second track.
Today, the bridge is still operated. It is located near Council Hill Station, a historic depot that the author would recommend a visit to.
Overall, this bridge appears to be in good condition.

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 Illinois Central 1973 track profile
Contractor Missing American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele