logo

Bavaria Rail Bridge

Quadrangular Through Truss Bridge over Spring Creek
Bavaria, Saline County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Bavaria Rail Bridge
Built By Union Pacific Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 125 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Quadrangular Through Truss
Substructure Type Concrete Encased Stone Masonry
Date Built 1902
Traffic Count 3 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 195.06
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date January 2020


Located along K-140 in Bavaria, this through truss bridge is another fine example of a Quadrangular Through Truss along this route.
Built 1902 to cross Spring Creek, the bridge features a single riveted Quadrangular Through Truss span, set onto stone abutments. These abutments have since been encased by concrete.
While similar to other trusses on this line, this design of truss is relatively rare in Kansas and Missouri. Replacements of the original portal bracings were done at some point to increase the clearance of this bridge.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. Unfortunately, low sunlight affected the author when documenting this bridge. It is hoped more photos will be taken soon.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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