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IAIS Green River Bridge

Quadrangular Through Truss Bridge over Green River
Colona, Henry County, Illinois

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Name IAIS Green River Bridge
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Iowa Interstate Railroad
Length 340 Feet Total, 155 Foot Main Span
Width 2 Tracks, 1 In Use
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Quadrangular Through Truss and Deck Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1900
Traffic Count 5 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
RI Bridge Number 1693
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date March 2015


Located in Colona, this bridge crosses the Green River using a large truss span.
Built in approximately 1900, the bridge features a large riveted Quadrangular Through Truss, with an X-Frame portal bracing. The bridge is approached by four deck girder spans on the west side, and is supported by concrete substructures.
While the bridge was built for two tracks, only one track remains in use. The bridge is visible from I-80.
The Quadrangular design was commonly used for Rock Island structures until approximately 1900, when Warren trusses became more popular. On a national scale, this design is uncommon, although several railroads extensively used it due to the resilience to damage.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. Little major deterioration was noted on the bridge.

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 Based on double tracking of line
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele