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IAIS Walnut Creek Bridge (North)

Pratt Pony Truss Bridge over Walnut Creek
West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name IAIS Walnut Creek Bridge (North)
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Iowa Interstate Railroad
Length 162 Feet Total, 105 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Pony Truss and Trestle
Substructure Type Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built 1902, Rebuilt 1943
Traffic Count 1 Train/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MILW Bridge Number Y-12
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date September 2015 and September 2017


This Pratt Pony Truss bridge crosses Walnut Creek near I-235 and 73rd Street.

Built in 1902, this bridge is still in its original location. Many spans like this were relocated and reused.

The 6 Panel, Pin connected Pratt Pony Truss sits on concrete substructures and is approached by trestle approaches on either end.
It continues to retain good historical integrity with little modification to the structure. It was moved and rebuilt in 1943 to increase the flow beneath.

The author has ranked the structure as locally significant, due to the truss design and age of the structure.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Milwaukee Road Archives at the Milwaukee Central Library
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele