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Bay Branch Trail Bridge (Panora)

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Bay Branch
Panora, Guthrie County, Iowa

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Name Bay Branch Trail Bridge (Panora)
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad
Contractor Milwaukee Bridge & Iron Works
Currently Owned By Guthrie County
Length 130 Feet Total, 55 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Fabricated 1899
Date Erected 1944
Original Location Bridge #Z-1284; Dedham, Iowa
Previous Location Bridge #T-598; Big Sioux River
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
MILW Bridge Number Y-108
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2018


Located east of Panora, this standard deck girder bridge crosses Bay Branch.
Originally built as a 65' "C3" through girder in 1899, the bridge was originally located at Bridge #Z-1284 near Dedham, Iowa. When that bridge was replaced by the current bridge in 1913, the girder was then moved to Bridge #T-598 across the Big Sioux River.
Bridge #T-598 was replaced in 1933 by the current bridge, and this span was shipped to the bridge yard at Tomah, Wisconsin. There it was shortened from 65 feet to 55 feet by removing the original rounded edges, converted to a deck girder, before being moved here in 1944.
Currently, the bridge consists of the deck girder span, set onto concrete piers. In addition, the bridge is approached by trestle on either side.
In addition, a set of lally columns exists under the bridge, indicating the previous bridge was possibly a similar structure.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with all portions of the bridge in adequate condition.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Milwaukee Road Archives at the Milwaukee Central Library
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele