Name | UP Rosehill Drive Bridge Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge #1307 1/4 |
Built By | Chicago & North Western Railway |
Currently Owned By | Union Pacific Railroad |
Superstructure Contractor | American Bridge Company of New York |
Length | 57 Feet Total |
Width | 3 Tracks, 2 In Use |
Height Above Ground | 12 Feet (Estimated) |
Superstructure Design | Through Plate Girder |
Substructure Design | Stone Masonry |
Date Built | 1907 |
Traffic Count | 75 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
Current Status | In Use |
Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge Number | 1307 1/4 |
Union Pacific Railroad Bridge Number | 7.40 |
Significance | Local Significance |
Documentation Date | 2/26/2023 |
In the early 1850s, several railroad companies began constructing
railroad lines radiating from Chicago. In 1855, the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad (C&M) constructed a
45-mile railroad line, extending north from an existing railroad line at
Ashland Avenue and Armitage Avenue in Chicago to the Wisconsin State Line near
Kenosha. At the same time, the Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad (M&C) constructed an additional 40 miles north to Milwaukee. The two railroads would be consolidated into a new railroad known as the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad (C&M) soon after completion, and would come under control of the Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW) in 1866. The C&M was leased to the Chicago, Milwaukee and North Western Railway (CM&NW) in 1883. The C&NW acquired control of the CM&NW soon after. The C&NW had constructed and acquired a large network of railroad lines through the Midwest. This line formed a portion of the
principal north mainline of the C&NW, eventually extending to northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Due to increasing traffic
along this line, a second track would be constructed between 1890 and 1892.
Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago, this trough floor through plate girder bridge crosses Rosehill Drive at Ravenswood Avenue. Built in 1907 as part of a track elevation program, the bridge consists of a 57-foot through plate girder span, set onto stone abutments. The girder span utilizes a trough floor, which is constructed of parallel floorbeams and a sheet metal deck. The ends of the girders use a typical C&NW design, with a curved taper. The bridge was originally constructed for three tracks, and two tracks remain in use. The superstructure of the bridge was fabricated by American Bridge Company, and it is believed that the substructures were constructed by railroad forces. This design of bridge was commonly used for track elevation projects, as it provided a durable and cost effective design. In addition, ballast decks were preferred by railroads and municipalities, as they provided a safer design for roadway users and the maintenance was more cost effective than an open deck design. At one time, a station called "Rosehill" existed at this location, but the station was closed in 1958. The stairs to the station remain today. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with some deterioration noted throughout the structure. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
Builder and build date | Chicago & North Western Valuation Notes at the Chicago & North Western Historical Society Archives |
Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |