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Coon Rapids Rail Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Middle Raccoon River
Coon Rapids, Carroll County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Coon Rapids Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 205 Feet Total, 80 Foot Main Span
Width 2 Tracks, 1 In Use
Height Above Ground 48 Feet
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1902 (South Track), 1913 (North Track)
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 390.87
MILW Bridge Number Z-1266
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date December 2017


This large deck girder bridge crosses the Middle Raccoon River in Coon Rapids.
Originally built in 1902, the bridge was extensively rebuilt in 1913 with a second track. As part of the work, the original 1902 bridge was shifted onto new substructures
Another unique feature of the bridge is the abutments. While most Milwaukee Road bridges along this route used large arches for abutments that were used as approach spans, this bridge has arches set into the abutments, a modification from the standard design.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition. This bridge does not have the same serious spalling as other structures along this route.

Historic Photo
Historic photo of previous bridge

The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the old age and exceedingly common design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Milwaukee Road Archives at the Milwaukee Central Library
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele