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IAIS Little Bear Creek Bridge (Carnforth)

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Little Bear Creek
Near Victor, Poweshiek County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name IAIS Little Bear Creek Bridge (Carnforth)
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor Lassig Bridge & Iron Works of Chicago
Currently Owned By Iowa Interstate Railroad
Length 220 Feet Total, 44 Foot Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Concrete
Date Built 1892
Traffic Count 5 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
IAIS Bridge Number 283.9
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date November 2016


Utilizing a common design, this bridge crosses over Little Bear Creek between Carnforth and Victor.
Built in 1892, the bridge is one of the larger crossings of Little Bear Creek. While the girders date to 1892, each span contains four girder lines, typically indicative of a secondhand or strengthened bridge. It is unknown if that is the case here.
The substructures of the bridge utilize both stone and concrete. These have likely been rebuilt since 1892.
Overall, the bridge remains in a good condition.

Despite being a common design, the author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant due to the older age of the bridge.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from nearby roads.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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