logo

CGW Beaver Creek Bridge

Failing Concrete Arch over Beaver Creek
Manly, Worth County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name CGW Beaver Creek Bridge
Built By Chicago Great Western Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Private Owner
Length 32 Feet Total, 16 Foot Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Concrete Arch
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1907
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned and Failing
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date April 2021


Located northeast of Manly, this highly deteriorated concrete arch bridge crosses Beaver Creek near 370th Street.
Reportedly built in 1907, the bridge consists of two concrete arch spans, set onto concrete substructures. It is likely that this bridge replaced an older wooden trestle.
Unfortunately, like many CGW bridges and arches, this one is highly deteriorated. Much of the facings of both arches have fallen off, and the arches also have holes in the roof. In the 1970s, the bridge appeared in a newspaper article and was still highly degraded.
It is unknown why so many CGW structures seem to have such high levels of failure. It is possible substandard materials or craftsmanship are to blame.
Overall, the bridge is in serious condition, although it does not appear to be in danger of collapse. The arch is easily accessed from 370th Street, and appears to be a local hangout place.

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 Newspaper Article
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele