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SKOL Verdigris River Bridge (Independence)

Pratt Through Truss Bridge over Verdigris River
Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name SKOL Verdigris River Bridge (Independence)
Built By Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
Length 390 Feet Total, 178 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 40 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Through Truss, Deck Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Stone Masonry, Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built 1902, Completed 1903
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
SKOL Bridge Number 164B
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date October 2017


This large Pratt Through Truss crosses over the Verdigris River in the town of Independence.
Started in 1902 and completed the following year, this crossing features a main, 8-panel pin connected Pratt Through Truss.
Approaching the main truss bridge are a pair of deck girder spans to the east, as well as a single deck girder span with trestle to the west.
The bridge is set on stone, concrete and wood pile substructures. The main truss is also one of the earliest long Pratt Through Trusses of 8 panels or more constructed by the ATSF.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. The bridge is hard to photograph, with river banks in the area being so steep.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the common nature of this truss design.
The photo above is an overview of the bridge.

Verdigris River Railroad Bridges
Upstream Independance Rail Bridge (North)
Downstream Coffeyville Rail Bridge (North)

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway 1984 Bridge Book
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele