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Labadie Rail Bridge

Warren Through Truss Bridge over Front Street and Labadie Creek
Labadie, Franklin County, Missouri

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Labadie Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway
Contractor (Main Span) American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Central Midland Railway
Length 358 Feet Total, 166 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 30 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Warren Through Truss and Deck Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Concrete
Date Built 1904, Approaches Built 1911
Traffic Count 1 Train/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
RI Bridge Number 458
Significance Regional Significance
Documentation Date June 2016


This large skewed truss bridge crosses Labadie Creek and Front Street at the back side of Labadie.
The previous bridge here was also a truss bridge, built in 1886. Front Street was the previous alignment of the Missouri Pacific, although MP relocated their tracks in 1929.
In 1904, the Rock Island sought to upgrade this line, as they had just completed new tracks to Kansas City via Eldon. As a result, the truss span was rebuilt at this time, reusing the 1886 piers.
The main truss span is a massive skewed 7-panel riveted Warren Through Truss. The original trestle approaches were replaced in 1911 by new deck girder spans and concrete substructures. Two spans approach on the east and one on the west.
Overall, the unique skew makes this an interesting structure. It at one time crossed the original Missouri Pacific line, which was relocated to the current alignment in 1929.
The bridge appears to retain a very high level of historic integrity, and is in good condition.

The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the unique design and the high level of historic integrity.
The photo above is an overview. The author hopes to return for more photos in the near future.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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