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Hollywood Beach Rail Bridge

Pratt Through Truss Bridge over Meramec River
Arnold, Jefferson County, Missouri
To
Oakville, St. Louis County, Missouri

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Hollywood Beach Rail Bridge
Built By St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 1,336 Feet Total, 150 Foot Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Through Truss, I-Beam and Concrete Slab
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1903
Traffic Count 6 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 19.85
Significance Regional Significance
Documentation Date June 2016


Located across the Meramec River at Hollywood Beach, this large through truss is original to this line.
Built in 1903, the bridge features three identical 6-panel pin connected Pratt Through Truss spans. These spans are considerably lighter than other spans along this river.
In addition, the bridge is approached by numerous steel stringer spans, which were added sometime in the 1940s. The north end is approached by modular concrete spans, added to replace a wooden trestle in approximately 1910. The entire bridge sits on concrete substructures.
Unfortunately, no plaques on the bridge were visible, although the design of these spans is identical to other confirmed 1903 spans along this route.
Fortunately, this bridge appears to be well maintained and still in good condition. The author hopes the structure will survive for years to come.

The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the large scale size and numerous truss spans.
The photo above is an overview.

Meramec River Railroad Bridges
Upstream Valley Park Rail Bridge
Downstream Wickes Rail Bridge

Citations

Source Type

Source

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