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UP Bridge #203.91

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Unnamed Drainage Ditch
South of Ashton, Osceola County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Bridge #203.91
Built By Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway
Contractor (Superstructure) American Bridge Company of New York
Contractor (Substructure) Cleary-White Construction Company of Chicago
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 50 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1912
Traffic Count 4 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
C&NW Bridge Number 721
UP Bridge Number 203.91
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date November 2019


Located south of Ashton, this through girder bridge crosses an unnamed drainage creek along Iowa Highway 60.
Built in 1912, the bridge consists of a single through girder span, set onto concrete substructures. This girder is similar to others along the route, and was likely built to cross field drainage from a swamp just east of IA-60.
It is likely that this bridge replaced an older trestle bridge of some sort. Unfortunately, like many bridges along this route, the plaques on the bridge have been taken. The author intends to conduct more research on this structure.
Overall, the bridge is in fair to good condition. The superstructure appears to be excellent, while the substructures have some spalling.

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 Chicago & North Western Railway Historical Society Archives
Contractors Chicago & North Western Railway Historical Society Archives
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele