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CN Willow Creek Bridge (Denison)

Relocated Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Willow Creek
Denison, Crawford County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name CN Willow Creek Bridge (Denison)
Built By Illinois Central Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Length 69 Feet Total, 34 Foot 7 Inch Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Fabricated Ca. 1900
Date Erected 1920
Original Location Unknown
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
CN Bridge Number 453.8
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date December 2018


Located west of Denison, this deck girder bridge crosses Willow Creek between US-30 and Lincoln Way.
Built in 1920, the bridge features a pair of deck girder spans set onto concrete substructures. An Illinois Central track profile lists these as being "secondhand", meaning they were built at another location before being moved and installed here. It is estimated that these girders were built 1900.
While the technique of reusing old spans is common, it is unknown where these spans came from. Nearby bridges were all built in the 1940s, 50s and 60s with relocated girders, however they follow the standard design for bridges along this route.
These girders appear to be slightly lighter and are a different design than other bridges along this route.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. Minor deterioration has formed on the superstructure, but the substructure seems to be in excellent 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 1973 Illinois Central Railroad Track Profile
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele