logo

BNSF Kill Creek Bridge (WB)

Through Girder Bridge over Kill Creek
De Soto, Johnson County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Kill Creek Bridge (WB)
Built By Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 185 Feet Total, 105 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Girder and Concrete Stringer
Substructure Type Concrete and Steel H-Pile
Date Built 1907, Approaches Rebuilt 1998
Traffic Count 3 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 10.8A
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date February 2017


This bridge is a simply built through girder bridge, with concrete modular stringer approaches.
It sits parallel to the Eastbound Bridge, which was built in 1940.
This structure currently consists of the long through girder span. Several similar spans have been seen around this region crossing similar creeks.
Interestingly enough, this span appears to have been constructed significantly later than the reported date. However, a plaque confirms the date.
It is approached by a concrete modular girder span on either side. These were added in 1998 likely to replace older trestle approaches.
The bridge rests on concrete substructures. The main piers of the bridge are constructed of steel piles, and likely date to 1998.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design. However, the main span of the bridge does remain in very good condition.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway 1984 Bridge Records
Contractor American Bridge Company Plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele