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CP Bridge #C-502

Concrete Slab Bridge over Unnamed Creek
Medary, La Crosse County, Wisconsin

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Name CP Bridge #C-502
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Canadian Pacific Railway
Length 64 Feet Total, 16 Foot Spans
Width 2 Tracks, 1 In Use
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Concrete Slab
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1910
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number C-502
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date November 2020


Located in a remote area east of Medary Junction, this slab bridge is one of several similar bridges along this segment of railroad.
Built 1910, the bridge features four spans of concrete slab, set onto concrete substructures. The bridge was upgraded at some point, including the rehabilitation of the the western two spans, which were likely spalled before.
Spans like this were immensely common along almost every American railroad, due to the ease of construction. During the 1910s, these style bridges became a cheap and viable alternative for wooden trestles.
Of the several similar bridges along this segment, this one appears to be in the best condition, partially due to the rehabilitation.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with some minor spalling on the superstructure.

The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. In addition to this bridge, there is a former Chicago & North Western bridge immediately to the south.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Double Tracking of Line
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele