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| Name | BNSF West Papillion Creek Bridge Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Bridge #28.10 |
| Built By | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | BNSF Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | American Bridge Company of New York (60' and 55' Spans) Unknown (Remaining Spans) |
| Length | 257 Feet Total, 60 Foot Largest Span |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 25 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Deck Plate Girder, Steel Stringer and Concrete Slab Concrete Modular Girder |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1904 (40' Span) 1910 (30', 55' and 60' Spans) c. 1930 (Steel Stringer Spans) |
| Traffic Count | 10 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Bridge Number | 28.10 |
| BNSF Railway Bridge Number | 28.10 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 11/28/2020 |
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 in La Vista, this deck girder bridge carries the BNSF Railway line across West Papillion Creek and the West Papio Trail (former Union Pacific Railroad mainline). The previous bridge at this location likely consisted of some type of steel trestle, possibly with a deck truss, fabricated in 1888. In 1904, a 40-foot deck plate girder span across the Union Pacific Railroad line would be constructed, set onto concrete piers. Further alterations occurred in 1910, when a 60-foot, a 55-foot and a 30-foot deck plate girder span were erected on concrete piers to replace the main portion of the old bridge. In approximately 1930, the two remaining 20-foot deck plate girder spans from the original bridge were replaced with a 14-foot and a 26-foot steel stringer span, set onto a concrete pile pier. The 1930s alterations gave this bridge its final appearance, which continues to exist in 2024. These steel stringer spans are continuous, meaning there is no joint above the pier. It is believed the two 16-foot concrete slab spans were added to the west end of the bridge at this time. The deck girder design 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 condition, with no significant deterioration noted. Numerous repairs have been made to the bridge since the initial construction, including the stabilization of pier #5. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Builder and build date (55' and 60' spans) | American Bridge Company plaque |
| Build Date (30' and 40' spans) | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Valuation Summary at the Newberry Library |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |