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BNSF Indian Creek Bridge (Beatrice)

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Indian Creek
Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Indian Creek Bridge (Beatrice)
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 219 Feet Total, 50 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built 1922
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 29.87
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2019


Located in the city of Beatrice, this small through girder bridge crosses Indian Creek, parallel to Railroad Street.
Built in 1922, likely to replace an older wooden trestle, the bridge features a single through plate girder span, set onto concrete substructures. It is approached by trestle on either side.
Spans like these are common for crossing small to medium sized creeks. They are simple to construct and maintain.
This bridge does have one interesting feature on the approaches. The south approaches closest to the main span are set onto bents made of stacked boards, instead of piles.
Unfortunately, a pipe of some sort obscures this bridge from allowing good photos. It appears it may be a high pressure gas line or something similar.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration noted.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date American Bridge Company plaque
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele