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BNSF English Creek Bridge (East)

Through Plate Girder Bridge over English Creek
Near Harvey, Marion County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF English Creek Bridge (East)
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor (Through Girder) Keystone Bridge Company of Pittsburgh
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 213 Feet Total, 76 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder and Concrete Beam
Substructure Type Concrete and Steel Pile
Date Erected 1939
Date Fabricated (Girder) 1892
Date Fabricated (Stringer) Unknown
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Bridge Number 25.42
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2017


Located near Harvey, this large through girder bridge is the eastern crossing of English Creek.
The girder span was originally built in 1892 by Keystone Bridge Company at an unknown location. The steel stringer span on the east approach was also secondhand material, but it is unknown where or when it was originally built.
In 1939, the two steel spans were moved here to replace a trestle, and were set onto concrete piers. The through girder was also strengthened at this time. Trestle approaches remained on either side of the steel spans.
However, the west approach was replaced by modular concrete beam spans in 2001, and the east approach was replaced in 2020, including the steel stringer span.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. The piers of the bridge are unusual, as they are a shape more commonly seen on highways.

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 CB&Q - Allen Moore collection - BRHS Archives
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele