This line served as a mainline, connecting the heavily used mainline at Emporia to the significant terminal of Topeka. The line saw little changes over the years.
In 1996, the ATSF merged with Burlington Northern to form BNSF Railway, the current operators of this line. It is now the southern leg of the Topeka Subdivision.
06/26/21
Located on the south side of Topeka, this large deck girder bridge crosses SE 29th Street and Butcher Creek.
Built in 1929, the bridge consists of a single deck plate girder span with a ballasted deck, approached by two modular concrete slab spans on either side. The bridge sits on concrete and steel pile substructures.
It is unknown when the approaches were rebuilt, although it appears these spans replaced an older wooden trestle. Aerial imagery suggests the current approaches were in place in 2002.
It appears much of the line between 15th Street and 37th Street was rebuilt during 1929. It is unknown if this was a grade separation project, or just a rebuilding.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deteriorations or alterations noted.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.