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Aspinwall Rail Bridge

Concrete Arch Bridge over Elk Creek
Aspinwall, Crawford County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Aspinwall Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 36 Feet Total
Width 2 Tracks, 1 In Use
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Concrete Arch
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1913
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 416.51
MILW Bridge Number Z-1352
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2018


This large concrete arch bridge crosses Elk Creek in the town of Aspinwall.
Built in 1913, the bridge features a standard design. Featuring a single concrete arch span, the entire bridge consists of concrete construction. This arch is rather large, and might be the largest concrete arch along this route.
Single span slab/culvert structures were built at many road crossings during the relocation and reconstruction of this route. The design is extremely common along this route, and is well suited for small spans. However, this arch is by far larger than a normal structure along this route.

Construction of bridge
Photo of construction from Railway Review: Volume 54 (digitalized by Google)

Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition. Some spalling has begun around the edges of the bridge, but appears to largely by in check.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Date stamp
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele