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CP Bridge #C-504

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Unnamed Swamp
Medary, La Crosse County, Wisconsin

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name CP Bridge #C-504
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Canadian Pacific Railway
Length 100 Feet Total, 50 Foot Spans
Width 2 Tracks, 1 In Use
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1910
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number C-504
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date November 2020


Located in a remote area east of Medary Junction, through girder bridge crosses a swampy area within a large wetlands.
Built 1910, the bridge features a pair of through girder spans, set onto concrete substructures. These spans feature straight edges, and appear to function as half through girders.
Spans like this were immensely common along almost every American railroad, due to the ease of construction. It is clear that these spans have been upgraded with high strength bolts in critical spots.
Unfortunately, the author was not able to get up close to the bridge, due to the amount of water in the swamp at the time.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good 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