In 1897, the Davenport, Rock Island & North Western Railway began construction on a line to connect the two river cities.

By 1900, the line extended a total length of 3.8 miles, including a new railroad structure over the Mississippi River at Davenport and Rock Island.

In 1901, the railroad purchased more trackage of small companies around the area, including a line to Clinton and several spurs around Rock Island. The total length of the road was expanded to 48.5 Miles.

The new line and bridge was built and purchased with the interests of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, as well as the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railways, who had joint control of the short line.

While the new road thrived for years, the controlling railroads saw much change. The CB&Q became the Burlington Northern in 1970, after a merge with Northern Pacific and Great Northern.
The CM&StP became the Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific in 1913, and eventually became a part of the Soo Line Railroad in 1985.

When the DRI&NW went out of business in 1995, the railroads split control of the remaining property. While the line to Clinton was at this time, the railroads took joint custody of the remaining track.

Today, BNSF and Canadian Pacific share control of the remaining portions of the line, including the historic Crescent Bridge.