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Galena Rail Bridge

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Galena River
Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Galena Rail Bridge
Built By Illinois Central Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Length 305 Feet Total, 99 Foot Largest Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1913, Rebuilt 1976
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
CN Bridge Number 165.7
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date April 2018


Located in Galena, this large through girder bridge crosses the Galena River.
Originally built in 1913, the bridge contained a pair of through girder spans, and a large bascule lift span. However, a derailment in 1976 destroyed the bascule span. As a result, the bascule span was replaced with a pair of through girders. The entire bridge rests on concrete substructures.
It is unknown if the two spans built in 1976 were actually relocated from another location. It seems likely that a 1976 girder span would be of welded construction, which these two through girder spans are not.
Today, the bridge is still operated. Unfortunately, the bascule span does not still exist, as it would make this bridge much more significant.
Overall, this bridge appears to be in good condition.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Illinois Central 1973 track profile
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele