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BNSF Pony Creek Bridge (South)

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Pony Creek
Pacific Junction, Mills County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Pony Creek Bridge (South)
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 80 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1909, Raised 2019
Traffic Count 50 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 0.41
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date November 2020


Located near I-29 in Pacific Junction, this through girder bridge crosses a channelized portion of Pony Creek.
Built in 1909, the bridge features a single through girder span, set onto concrete substructures. However, the bridge was altered and raised in 2019, after unprecedented floods damaged significant amounts of infrastructure in the Missouri River Valley.
This design of bridge is common, due to the ease of construction and maintenance. Through girders were typically used where deck girders would not provide a sufficient opening. The main drawback with through girders is the horizontal clearance restrictions.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

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