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| Name | BNSF Little Rock Creek Bridge Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Bridge #54.02 |
| Built By | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | BNSF Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | Lassig Bridge & Iron Works of Chicago |
| Length | 85 Feet Total |
| Width | 2 Tracks |
| Height Above Ground | 20 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Deck Plate Girder |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry and Concrete |
| Date Built | 1900 |
| Traffic Count | 20 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Bridge Number | 54.02 |
| BNSF Railway Bridge Number | 54.02 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 2/20/2022 |
In 1852 and 1853, the Aurora Branch Railroad of the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad would construct a 46 miles of new railroad extending from Aurora, Illinois to Mendota, Illinois. The railroad
would be reorganized as the Chicago and Aurora Railroad Company in
1852, and again as the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
(CB&Q) in 1855. Between 1852 and 1854, the Central Military Tract Railroad Company (CMT)
would construct 79 miles from Mendota to Galesburg, Illinois. The CMT would be absorbed into the CB&Q the following year. This route quickly became the principal mainline of the CB&Q, providing a connection to the Mississippi River at Quincy. Both Aurora and Galesburg would quickly become prominent railroad cities, with extensive facilities serving the CB&Q. Because of the heavy traffic served by the line, the railroad would be double tracked beginning in the 1860s. In 1868, a second track was added between Aurora and Bristol, and between Earlville and Mendota. Between Bristol and Earlville, the line would be double tracked in 1872. In 1877, the line was double tracked from Malden to Princeton and near Galeesburg; from Arlington to Malden would be double tracked in 1878; and the segments between Mendota and Arlington and Buda and Wyanet would be double tracked in 1880. The segment between Buda and Galesburg would be double tracked in 1886, and the segment between Princeton and Wyanet was double tracked in 1899. Throughout the 20th Century, the line continued to serve as the principal mainline of the CB&Q. In
1970, the CB&Q was merged with the Northern Pacific
Railway and the Great Northern Railway to form Burlington Northern
Railroad (BN). In 1996, BN merged with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Railway
to form BNSF Railway. BNSF currently operates the line as the Mendota Subdivision, and it remains a critical line within the BNSF system.
Located along US Route 34 between Plano and Sandwich, this deck plate girder bridge carries the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad across Little Rock Creek. The first bridge at this location was a timber truss bridge, constructed when the line was initially built. In 1866, the bridge would be reconstructed with a 93-foot iron Bollman through truss bridge, set onto stone abutments. This truss bridge was used until 1885, when the line was double tracked. At this time, an 82-foot iron Pratt deck truss span was installed on new stone abutments. In 1900, the bridge was reconstructed with the present structure. The bridge currently consists of an 85-foot double track deck plate girder span, set onto stone abutments. Stone abutments from the previous bridge were reused, and modified with concrete. Modifications included raising the abutments for the new track elevation, and repairs to broken stones throughout the abutments, and adding new wing walls. It is unknown if the trusses from the previous bridge were reused, however the CB&Q reused many bridge spans. Lassig Bridge & Iron Works fabricated the steel for the bridge, and the span was fabricated prior to the acquisition by American Bridge Company. 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 this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Build date | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Valuation Summary at the Newberry Library |
| Builder | Missing Lassig Bridge & Iron Works plaque |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |