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BNSF 412th Avenue Bridge

Concrete Slab Bridge over 412th Avenue
West of Andover, Day County, South Dakota
To
East of Groton, Brown County, South Dakota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF 412th Avenue Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 26 Feet Total
Width 2 Tracks, 1 In Use
Height Above Ground 13 Feet 6 Inches
Superstructure Type Concrete Slab
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1913
Traffic Count 6 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number O-398
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date March 2019


Located between Andover and Groton and crossing the Brown/Day County line, this simple concrete slab span crosses 412th Avenue (County Road 20) south of the intersection with US-12.
Built in 1913 during a line change and double tracking project, the bridge features a single concrete slab span. The bridge is strictly functional, with no decorative features. Unlike several of the other similar bridges in the area, this structure has a massive headwall, likely because of the fill on top.
This type of span is a simple design, commonly used along this line and others in the Milwaukee Road system due to the cheap and efficient construction.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition. Compared to the nine other similar bridges between Aberdeen and Big Stone City, this structure is by far in the best condition, with little serious spalling.
There is evidence that the headwall was repaired with fresh concrete at some point in the last couple decades. The joints around the wing walls are beginning to crack.
When the author visited this bridge, it was right after a major snowstorm. Evidence of this can be seen in the above photos, despite the road being passable. The snowdrifts around this bridge were impressive.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

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