NS Bear Creek Bridge (Palmer)

Located along Illinois Route 48 between Palmer and Morrisonville, this deck plate girder bridge crosses Bear Creek. The first bridge at this location was a timber pile trestle, constructed in 1880 and renewed in 1887. In the early 20th Century, the Wabash decided to upgrade wooden bridges along this route with permanent steel and concrete bridges. In 1909, a single track bridge, consisting of a 75-foot deck plate girder span was constructed, and set onto new concrete abutments. In 1912, the line would be double tracked and the bridge widened to the west. Both tracks utilized the same design, and both spans were fabricated by American Bridge Company. William P. Carmichael Company constructed the substructures for the east track, while an unknown contractor constructed the substructures for the west track. However, it is likely that the same company constructed the west track substructures, as this company was the primary contractor for concrete bridges and substructures for the Wabash.

The deck plate girders use a standard design and a ballast deck, with the west track using a timber ballast channel and the east track using a concrete ballast channel. The east track ballast channel appears to have been cast in place, an unusual feature. Most railroads opted to use precast deck panels, due to the ease of construction. Deck girder bridges were commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as it provided a durable and easy to construct design. Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, and appears well maintained. Little deterioration was noted throughout the bridge, and the superstructure of the bridge has an intact coat of paint. The eastern track has been removed, but the superstructure remains intact. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.