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Arlington Rail Bridge

Quadrangular Through Truss Bridge over Elkhorn River
Arlington, Washington County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Arlington Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 285 Feet Total, 160 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Quadrangular Through Truss and I-Beam
Substructure Type Concrete and Steel Bent
Date Built 1902, Approaches Rebuilt 1964
Traffic Count 40 Trains/Day (Estimate)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 359.43
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date May 2017

Crossing the Elkhorn River west of Arlington sits this large riveted Quadrangular Through Truss Bridge.
Built in 1902 to replace an older truss, likely of the same design, the bridge has seen some alterations.
Originally, it seems that the bridge was also approached by wooden trestle spans. However, a flood in the early 1960s destroyed these and they were replaced with I-Beams.
In addition, the bridge is set on concrete and steel pile piers.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. A significant rehabilitation has occurred to strengthen the truss.

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

Elkhorn River Railroad Bridges
Upstream BNSF Elkhorn River Bridge (Winslow)
Downstream UP Elkhorn River Bridge (Waterloo)

Citations

Source Type

Source
Main Span Build Date Chicago & North Western Railway Historical Society Archives
Approach Spans Build Date Based on previous flooding events
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele