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BNSF White Breast Creek Bridge #2

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over White Breast Creek
Lucas, Lucas County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name BNSF White Breast Creek Bridge #2
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company (Lassig Branch of Chicago)
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 197 Feet Total, 90 Foot Main Span
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and Concrete Beam
Substructure Type Concrete and Steel Pile
Date Built 1900, East Span Replaced Ca. 1990
Traffic Count 50 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 343.58
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date February 2021


Located just west of Lucas, this bridge is the second crossing of White Breast Creek.
Built in 1900 as the line was being reconstructed and double tracked, the bridge features two deck girder spans, set onto concrete substructures. In addition, the east approach is built out of concrete stringer spans, set onto steel piles.
At some point, the eastern span of the bridge was replaced with a new concrete stringer span. This is likely in response to an exceptionally deteriorated span. It appears this replacement took place in the early 1990s.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in excellent condition. This line appears to be well maintained. This type of bridge is common along this route, and the builder is one of two commonly used along this route.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge was accessed on state land to the northwest of the bridge.

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