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Foster Viaduct #1

Deck Plate Girder Viaduct over Kinser Creek and 672nd Avenue
South of Albia, Monroe County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Foster Viaduct #1
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad
Contractor (Superstructure) American Bridge Company of New York
Contractor (Superstructure) McClintic-Marshall Company of Pittsburgh
Contractor (Substructure) Stark Construction Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Contractor (Substructure) M.M. Moen Company of Mason City, Iowa
Currently Owned By Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad
Length 574 Feet Total, 65 Foot Largest Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 50 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Steel Tower and Concrete
Date Built 1937, Completed 1938
Traffic Count 8 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number I-470
Significance Local
Documentation Date October 2017


This massive deck girder viaduct crosses Kinser Creek and 672nd Avenue near 260th Place.
Built in 1937 and completed in 1938 to replace a similar bridge, this structure features 13 deck plate girder spans, set onto steel towers and concrete substructures.
In addition, the bridge features a ballasted deck, typically used as protection from water damage. The towers of the bridge feature heavily built rolled members, and the girders are extremely large.
This is one of three similar viaducts, all rebuilt 1937, in the area.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in excellent condition. Many bridges along this route were upgraded in the 1930s and 1940s, indicating the main line status.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the newer age, despite the large and landmark structure.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date American Bridge Company plaque
Contractors Railway Age Volume 101
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele