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BNSF Rush Creek Bridge

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Rush Creek
Parkville, Platte County, Missouri

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF Rush Creek Bridge
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 105 Feet Total, 60 Foot Main Span
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Girder and Modular Concrete Beam
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1908, Approaches rebuilt Ca. 1995 and 2004
Traffic Count 30 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 11.77
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date September 2018


Located near River Road near Parkville, this large through girder bridge crosses Rush Creek.
The bridge was built in 1908, when the CB&Q double tracked this route. However, the second track was removed in 1958 before being reinstalled in 2005.
Currently, the bridge consists of a main through girder span, which was built for two tracks and features a ballasted deck. It is approached by modular concrete spans on either side. The east approach was built prior to 1996, as it has a Burlington Northern logo on it. The west approach was added in 2004. These approaches replaced trestle spans. The substructures of the bridge consist of concrete.
This style bridge was common for crossing small creeks, as it was easy to construct and maintain. The author is currently investigating to confirm the 1908 build date.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no major deterioration.

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 Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Collection at the Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele