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DM&E Shell Rock River Bridge (Plymouth)

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Shell Rock River
Plymouth, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name DM&E Shell Rock River Bridge (Plymouth)
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad
Contractor Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Currently Owned By Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad
Length 158 Feet Total, 70 Foot Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and I-Beam
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1909, Approach Rebuilt 2010
Traffic Count 4 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number S-542
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date November 2017 and April 2021


Located in the town of Plymouth, this bridge crosses the Shell Rock River.
Built in 1909, likely to replace an older steel bridge, this structure features a pair of deck girder spans. Originally approached by trestle, the approach was upgraded to an I-Beam in the 2010s. The entire structure rests on concrete substrucutres.
Spans like these were common to replace older steel trusses, particularly because of the durability of the spans.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. It was rehabilitated in the 2010s, with concrete and approach work.

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

Shell Rock River River Railroad Bridges
Upstream UP Shell Rock River Bridge (Kensett)
Downstream Nora Springs Rail Bridge

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company plaque
Contractor Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele