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| Name | Boneyard Creek Trail Bridge Wabash Railroad Bridge #464 |
| Built By | Wabash Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | City of Urbana |
| Superstructure Contractor | American Bridge Company of New York |
| Length | 75 Feet Total, 32 Foot Main Span |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 15 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Deck Plate Girder and Timber Pile Trestle |
| Substructure Design | Timber Pile |
| Date Built | c. 1910 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Open to Pedestrian Traffic) |
| Current Status | Open to Pedestrian Traffic |
| Wabash Railroad Bridge Number | 464 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 11/13/2022 |
In 1881, the Champaign and Southeastern Railway constructed an 11.7 mile branch line, extending from the existing mainline of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway (WStL&P) at Sidney, Illinois north to Champaign, Illinois. The railroad would remain independent until 1903, when it was purchased by the Wabash Railroad. The Wabash Railroad was reorganized as the Wabash Railway in 1915. The Wabash would become a respected railroad network in the Midwest, primarily connecting Detroit with Kansas City. The railroad would again be reorganized as the Wabash Railroad in 1941,
and would be controlled by the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1964, the
railroad was leased to the Norfolk & Western Railway (N&W), and
would be entirely acquired in 1970. The line would be abandoned in 1981, and most of the right-of-way sold to adjacent landowners. Today, a short industrial lead is still used in Urbana, while much of the line has been removed.
Located in Urbana, this deck plate girder bridge has been rehabilitated and now is a centerpiece of a plaza along Boneyard Creek. The first structure at this location was a timber pile trestle span, constructed when the line was built. In approximately 1910, a 32-foot deck plate girder span would be installed on timber pile piers and the timber pile trestle approaches renewed, giving the bridge its current configuration. The deck plate girder span appears to use a design without flanges on the outside, a design occasionally used for shorter spans during the 20th Century. This type of bridge was popular with railroads, as it provided a durable and cost effective bridge. After sitting abandoned since approximately 1981, the bridge was rehabilitated and converted to pedestrian use in 2014. During the rehabilitation, the substructures were partially encased with concrete, and a walkway installed on the bridge. The area now serves as a plaza along Boneyard Creek. 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
| Builder | Missing American Bridge Company plaque |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |