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IAIS Main Street Bridge

Steel Stringer Bridge Over Main Street
Davenport, Scott County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name IAIS Main Street Bridge
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor Chicago Bridge & Iron Company of Chicago
Currently Owned By Iowa Interstate Railroad
Length 90 Feet Total
Width 3 Tracks, One In Use
Height Above Ground 10 Feet
Superstructure Type Steel Stringer
Substructure Type Concrete and Steel Tower
Date Built 1907
Traffic Count 6 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
IAIS Bridge Number 1830
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date September 2017


This steel stringer bridge crosses Main Street in downtown Davenport.
Built in 1907 to replace a 1902 era through girder bridge, the bridge consists of four steel stringer spans, supported by steel bents and concrete abutments.
The previous bridge was a through girder structure, not unlike the Perry Street Bridge. It is unknown for sure why that bridge was replaced after only five years, but it may have been related to employee injuries caused by getting crushed against the girders between tracks.
Overall, the bridge remains in fair to good condition, with little sign of serious deterioration.

The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the road below.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Historic Newspaper Articles
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele