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IAIS Sugar Creek Arch

Concrete Arch Bridge over Sugar Creek
Oakland Acres, Jasper County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name IAIS Sugar Creek Arch
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Iowa Interstate Railroad
Length 36 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Concrete Arch
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1910
Traffic Count 5 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date February 2020


Located at the back of Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve, this massive concrete arch crosses Sugar Creek.
Built in 1910, the bridge features a single concrete arch span. The northeast and southeast wing walls are an unusually thick design, as compared to the other two wing walls.
It is possible, but rather unlikely that this bridge is actually a stone arch that was encased in concrete. Joints in the concrete ceiling further indicate that this bridge is likely all concrete.
Unlike some of the arches along this route, this structure has retained a very high level of historic integrity. It is unknown what the previous bridge at this location was, although it was possibly a deck truss or steel viaduct, or maybe even a wooden trestle.
Overall, the bridge appears to be well maintained and in good condition. Unfortunately, no date carving can be found on the bridge.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. Fortunately, the bridge is easy to access, although it is quite a walk from the parking lot.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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