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West Omaha Rail Crossing

Baltimore Through Truss Bridge over Abandoned Chicago & North Western Railway
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name West Omaha Rail Crossing
Built By Union Pacific Railroad
Engineer James Keys of Omaha, Nebraska
Contractor (Fabrication) American Bridge Company of New York
Contractor (Erection) Kilpatrick Brothers & Collins Contracting Co. of Beatrice, Nebraska
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 357 Feet Total, 137 Foot Main Span
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 30 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Baltimore Through Truss and Deck Girder
Substructure Type Concrete and Steel Tower
Date Built 1906
Traffic Count 30 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 7.94
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date September 2016


View an article regarding the construction of this route.

One of the trusses crossing over railroads in Omaha is this structure.
Located near I-80 and 60th Street, this bridge was built in 1906. Built to cross the Chicago & North Western Railway tracks, the bridge features a main 5-panel, riveted Baltimore Through Truss.
This main span has a portal style typical of Union Pacific bridges. The main span is approached by a pair of deck girder spans on either side. The main sits on concrete substructures, while the approach spans have steel tower supports.
Overall, the bridge is in good condition. Unfortunately, the bridge crosses an abandoned opening, and is a possible candidate for being filled in.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the uncommon design and endangered status.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the rail grade underneath.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Portal Cutout
Fabricator Missing American Bridge Company plaque
Engineer Railway Age & Railway Review, Volume 41
Contractor Railway Age & Railway Review, Volume 41
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele