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CN Star Brewery Drive Bridge

I-Beam Bridge over Star Brewery Drive
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name CN Star Brewery Drive Bridge
Built By Illinois Central Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Length 30 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet 9 Inches
Superstructure Type I-Beam
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built Ca. 1980 using a 1921 Span
Traffic Count 7 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
CN Bridge Number 182.1
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date August 2013 and April 2018
In 1857, the Dubuque and Pacific Railroad began construction on a 29 mile line extending from Dubuque to Dyersville, Iowa.
By 1860, the line would receive another 49 mile extension to Jessup, Iowa.
At the end of 1860, the D&P would be purchased by the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad, which desired to build west to Sioux City.
In 1861, the route would be extended to Cedar Falls, where it would terminate.

The D&SC would continue building west in 1866.
Beginning in 1867, the Illinois Central leased the D&SC. The route would be able to provide a mainline into Iowa for the company.
Relatively uncommon in the modern world of railroading, the Illinois Central did not fully consume the D&SC until 1946. Despite this, virtually every project was Illinois Central funded until then.
Immediately after this, the IC went to work rebuilding numerous older truss bridges along the line. This route served as the western mainline for the Illinois Central, which had grown to be considerable in size.
In 1972, the IC merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad to form the Illinois Central Gulf. The ICG dissolved back into the Illinois Central in 1988.

The entire western main line and associated branch lines of the IC were sold to a railroad known as the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad in 1985.
Just 11 years later, the route would again be purchased by Illinois Central. By 1999, the Illinois Central was purchased by Canadian National.
In 2017, Canadian National operates the Cedar Falls-Fort Dodge segment of this line as the Waterloo Subdivision.
06/26/21


Located in Dubuque, this small stringer bridge crosses Star Brewery Drive near the Dubuque Rail Bridge.
Originally built in 1900 as a through girder span, this bridge was most recently upgraded in the 1980s. As part of this upgrade, a 1921 vintage span was relocated from an unknown location. This span still exists, and sits on stone abutments.
Spans like this are common for crossing roads and drainage areas.
Currently, the bridge crosses Star Brewery Drive, a road along the riverfront area.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no visible major deterioration.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to common design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date American Bridge Company plaque
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele



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