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| Name | River Trail of Illinois - Coal Creek Bridge |
| Built By | Illinois Traction System |
| Currently Owned By | City of East Peoria |
| Superstructure Contractor | Decatur Bridge Company of Decatur, Illinois |
| Substructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 58 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 15 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Through Plate Girder |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1906 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Open to Pedestrian Traffic) |
| Current Status | Open to Pedestrian Traffic |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 4/2/2023 |
In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, interurban railroads began
to develop throughout the United States. These electrified railroads
were intended to provide efficient passenger service, generally to
suburban or rural areas. At the same time, electrified street railways
began to develop in larger cities throughout the United States. These
trolleys provided service to passengers, primarily in urban areas.
Champaign businessman William B. McKinley sought to join these two modes
of transportation. McKinley desired to construct electrified railroad
connecting major cities in central Illinois. The Illinois Traction
System (ITC) was formed to develop this network. In 1905, subsidiariy Chicago, Bloomington & Decatur (CB&D) was created to construct a line between Decatur, Illinois and Bloomington, Illinois, and the line was completed in 1906. Between 1906 and 1907, subsidiary Peoria, Bloomington & Champaign Traction (PB&C) constructed a line between Bloomington and Peoria, Illinois, and the Peoria, Lincoln & Springfield Traction (PL&ST) constructed a line between Lincoln, Illinois and Mackinaw, Illinois; which opened in early 1908. The three railroads were later fully incorporated into the ITC.
Located near Main Street and Farm Creek in East Peoria, this through plate girder bridge carries the former Illinois Terminal Railroad over Coal Creek. It is believed that this bridge was constructed in 1906, when the ITC reached East Peoria. The bridge consists of a 58-foot through plate girder span, set onto concrete substructures. The through girder utilizes a somewhat unusual design, with a ballast deck set approximately halfway up the girders. In addition, the bridge runs at a significant skew, and the abutments appear to have been constructed for two tracks. However, it is not believed that a second track was ever constructed at this location. Decatur Bridge Company constructed a majority of bridges for the ITC, and it is believed this company constructed this bridge as well. It is believed that an unknown contractor constructed the concrete abutments for this bridge. Through plate girder spans were commonly used by railroads, as they were durable and easy to construct. Since the initial construction, it appears the bridge has seen some slight alterations. Square bolts have been added to strengthen the span, and the abutments have become integral with the flood control flume carrying Farm Creek. Currently, the bridge serves as part of the River Trail of Illinois, which reused a large portion of the former ITC right-of-way in East Peoria. 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 | Construction of line |
| Builder | Based on other spans along same line |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |