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Belleville Trail Bridge

Pratt Through Truss Bridge over Sugar River
Belleville, Dane County, Wisconsin

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Belleville Trail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Madison & Northern Railway
Contractor Union Bridge Company of Buffalo, New York
Currently Owned By Wisconsin DNR
Length 150 Feet Total
Width 1 Track, 2 Trail Lanes
Height 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Through Truss
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built 1887
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails To Trails
IC Bridge Number R-43.9
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date March 2015


This historic bridge is one of the most visible structures along the Badger State Trail.
Built in 1887, the bridge is a 8 Panel, Pin Connected Pratt Through Truss. It sits on stone abutments.
with several other similar structures, the bridge is virtually identical to the Jane Addams Trail Bridge.
In addition, several other bridges in Iowa were built the same year, and contained the same design, most of which have been replaced.
The bridge is visible as it sits behind the public works for Belleville, which is a small town outside of Madison.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. It is a good example of another 1880s truss bridge on the Wisconsin State Trail system.

Historic Photo
Historic photo of the bridge

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the increasingly uncommon design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the trail it carries.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Union Bridge Company plaque
Contractor Union Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele