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BNSF 2100th Street Bridge (Defiance)

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over 2100th Street
Defiance, Shelby County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF 2100th Street Bridge (Defiance)
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Wisconin Bridge & Iron Company of Milwaukee
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 30 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1905
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number Z-1416
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2018


This standard deck girder bridge crosses 2100th Street near the town of Defiance.
Built in 1905, the bridge features a single deck girder span, with a concrete ballasted deck. The structure sits on concrete abutments.
The ballasted deck is a feature commonly used on main line bridges, as it protects the steel superstructure of the bridge and allows for an even and consistent draining of water. While most deck panels like this have failed on nearly every Milwaukee Road bridge, they appear to remain in fair condition on this structure.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition. Significant cracking of the substructures and deck slabs of the bridge has occurred, but the concrete deck has prevented widespread serious deterioration on the steel.

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 Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company plaque
Contractor Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele