- 1836: Galena and Chicago Union Railroad charted between Chicago and Galena, Illinois
- 1848: 10 miles completed from Chicago to Oak Park, Illinois by the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
- 1849: 20 miles completed from Oak Park to West Chicago, Illinois by the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
- 1854: 68 miles completed from West Chicago to Dixon, Illinois by the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
- 1855: 39 miles completed from Dixon to East Clinton, Illinois by the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
- 1855: 10 miles double tracked from Chicago to Oak Park
- 1856: 20 miles double tracked from Oak Park to West Chicago
- 1864: G&CU consolidated with the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1884: 15 miles double tracked from West Chicago to Elburn
- 1889: Remainder of line double tracked from Elburn to East Clinton
- 1893-95: Track elevated from Sacramento Boulevard to 40th Street (Pulaski Road)
- 1905: Track elevated from Ashland Avenue to Sacramento Boulevard
- 1908-13: Track elevated from Pulaski Road to Thatcher Avenue River Forest and additional tracks built
- 1909-11: Track realigned, elevated and expanded for new Chicago Terminal
- 1910: 13 mile bypass of Dixon completed by the Lee County Railway Company
- 1910: C&NW purchases the Lee County Railway Company
- 1995: Chicago & North Western purchased by Union Pacific Railroad
- 1995-Present: Union Pacific operates the Geneva Subdivision from Chicago to East Clinton
- 2006-Present: Metra operates the Union Pacific West Line between Elburn and Chicago
02/06/22
Located in Geneva, this massive deck girder bridge crosses the Fox River.
The previous bridge at this location was an 1883 deck truss bridge, sent to two locations in Sangamon County, Illinois.
In 1917-1918, that bridge was replaced with the present seven span deck girder bridge, set onto new concrete piers and the old abutments. The bridge was built for two tracks, but is easily expanded to four tracks if need be.
Plans for 2020 call adding a third track across this bridge, and replacing the nearby Illinois 31 Bridge. As of early 2022, this project has not yet begun.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration.
Historic photo showing the previous bridge. These spans were reused near Springfield, Illinois upon replacement. Photo credit Library of Congress
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the newer age.
The photo above is an overview.
| Upstream | St. Charles Rail Bridge |
| Downstream | Abandoned Fox River Bridge |