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DM&E Leaf River Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Leaf River
Leaf River, Ogle County, Illinois

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Name DM&E Leaf River Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad
Length 240 Feet Total, 60 Foot Spans
Width 1 Track, Substructures Built for 2
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Girder and Concrete Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry, Concrete and Steel Pile
Date Built Ca. 1920, Approaches Rebuilt 2012
Traffic Count 6 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number Z-346
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date April 2019


Located near Leaf River, this large deck girder bridge crosses the river of the same name.
Built in approximately 1920, the bridge was originally constructed with four spans of double track deck girder. However, the second track was removed sometime after the fall of the Milwaukee Road. In addition, the outer spans were reconstructed with precast concrete spans in 2012. The bridge rests on stone, concrete and steel pile piers.
The girders are fairly heavy for the time period. It is unknown why the second track was removed, although it is possible that these spans were reused somewhere else.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. No major deterioration was noted, and the substructures appear to be in excellent condition.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

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