logo

DM&E Kent Creek Bridge

Pratt Pony Truss Bridge over N. Fork Kent Creek
Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name DM&E Kent Creek Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Canadian Pacific Railway
Length 105 Feet Total
Width 2 Tracks, 1 In Use
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Pony Truss
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1900
Traffic Count 3 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number B-616
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date March 2015


Located in a residentail area northwest of downtown Rockford, this truss bridge crosses the N. Fork of Kent Creek.
Built in 1900, likely to replace an older wooden trestle, this bridge consists of a single 6-panel pin connected Pratt Pony Truss, set onto concrete substructures.
This design was a favorite of the Milwaukee Road, particularly due to the small size and durability. At the time of construction, technology for a large girder at this location was still approximately 10 years off.
Today, many of these bridges still exist. Oftentimes, they could be disassembled at one location and moved to another for reassembly. It is not believed that this bridge came from another location.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition with little serious defects easily apparent.

The author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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