UP WIS-32 Bridge (Racine)

Located on the north side of Racine, this large through plate girder bridge carries the former Chicago & North Western Railway mainline over Wisconsin Highway 32 (Douglas Avenue). The first bridge at this location was constructed in 1896, and likely consisted of a through plate girder bridge. In 1912, the bridge was replaced by a 30-foot and a 34-foot through plate girder bridge, set onto concrete abutments and a steel pier. Due to the unusual geometry of the roadway below, a cost estimate for replacing the structure was first prepared in the mid-1930s, before being shelved. In 1952, the project was revisited and approved in 1958. Work on constructing a shoo-fly and utility relocations began in 1958, and contracts were awarded in early 1959. By June 1959, the present subway was completed. Currently, the bridge consists of two heavily skewed 114-foot double track through plate girder spans, set onto concrete substructures. The girders are heavily constructed, with two large plate girders, a ballast deck and curved and tapered girder ends. The abutments use a standard design, and the pier is constructed of two concrete columns. C.R. Myer & Sons was awarded the contract for the design of the bridge, while an unknown company fabricated the superstructure and E&C Company constructed the substructure. Through plate girder spans were commonly used by railroads, as they were durable and easy to construct. Since the initial construction, the bridge has seen few alterations, and one track remains in use today. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked the bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design.