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Algona Rail Crossing

Quadrangular Through Truss Bridge over Canadian Pacific Railway
Algona, Kossuth County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Algona Rail Crossing
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 120 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Quadrangular Lattice Through Truss
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1917
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 84.78
C&NW Bridge Number 794
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date July 2017


Located in Algona, this large Quadrangular Through Truss bridge crosses the Canadian Pacific branch line.
Originally built in 1917 to cross the Milwaukee Road, this bridge features a single Quadrangular Through Truss, set onto concrete abutments.
The quadrangular truss was a favorite of the C&NW, particularly due to the durability and versatility of the structure.
Currently, the bridge is owned by Union Pacific, and is still operated. Overall, it remains in good condition, with little major deterioration.

The author has ranked the bridge as moderately significant, due to the truss design.
The photo above is looking north across the bridge.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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