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| Name | BNSF West Sarpy Ditch Bridge Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Bridge #42.85 |
| Built By | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | BNSF Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown (Main Span) Vierling Steel Works of Chicago (Approaches) |
| Length | 130 Feet Total, 50 Foot Main Span |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 10 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Through Plate Girder and Steel Stringer |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1917, Approaches Reconstructed 1949 |
| Traffic Count | 10 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Bridge Number | 42.85 |
| BNSF Railway Bridge Number | 42.85 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 1/27/2017 |
In 1869, the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska (BMRN) would continue constructing westwards from Pacific Junction, reaching milepost 12. The following year, a 17 mile extension from Oreapolis, Nebraska north to Omaha would be made, and an additional 48 miles to Lincoln would be constructed from milepost 12. A permanent bridge across the Missouri River at Plattsmouth would be completed in 1880. Since 1880, the BMRN had been controlled by stock by the same interests
that controlled the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
(CB&Q). The CB&Q and associated ownership came in control or
constructed a large number of lines throughout Iowa and Nebraska. This route would serve as a piece of the planned Chicago to Denver mainline, which reached Denver in 1883. In 1885, the Omaha and South Western Railway constructed 4 miles of new railroad from Omaha, to South Omaha. In 1886, the Omaha and North Platte Railroad (O&NP) completed an additional 30 miles of railroad, extending from Omaha to Ashland, where it met the main line. The 4 miles constructed in 1885 were sold to the O&NP in 1887, and the O&NP sold to the BMRN in 1887. The BMRN was formally sold to the CB&Q in 1908, and CB&Q continued to operate these routes as parallel mainline, and a second track was added from Lincoln to Waverly in 1910, and Waverly to Ashland in 1918. CB&Q merged with Northern Pacific Railway and Great Northern Railway
to form Burlington Northern Railroad (BN). BN merged with Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1996 to form BNSF Railway. BNSF continues to operate the Oreapolis-Omaha-Ashland line as the Omaha Subdivision, and the Pacific Junction to Lincoln segment as the Creston Subdivision.
Located alongside US Highway 6 west of Gretna, this through girder bridge crosses West Sarpy Ditch. The previous bridge at this location was likely a timber trestle bridge. In 1917, a 50-foot through plate girder span on concrete piers was constructed, with trestle spans approaching each end. In 1949, Vierling Steel Works would fabricate a 49-foot steel stringer span, which would replace the trestle spans at each end. The through girder follows a typical CB&Q design, including using deep tapered edges. This design of bridge was commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Build Date (main span) | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Valuation Summary at the Newberry Library |
| Builder and build date (approach spans) | Vierling Steel Works plaque |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |