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KCS Piasa Creek Bridge

Concrete Encased Stone Arch over Piasa Creek
Near Delhi, Jersey County, Illinois

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name KCS Piasa Creek Bridge
Built By Chicago & Alton Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Kansas City Southern Railway
Length 183 Feet Total, 37 Foot Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 60 Feet(Estimated)
Superstructure Type Concrete Encased Stone Arch
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built 1881, Rehabilitated 1918
Traffic Count 4 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
KCS Bridge Number 33.6
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date June 2016


This massive arch bridge crosses Piasa Creek parallel to US-67 between Godfrey and Delhi.

Ever since it was completed, the bridge has had structural issues. It was built unstably in 1881.
In 1904 and 1911, rehabilitation was done to stabilize the bridge. By 1918, the railroad decided to encase the bridge in concrete to prevent further damage to the structure.

Historic Photo
General plans of the bridge

The rehabilitation worked, and has continued to preserve the bridge for generations. It is not currently know why the arches were not structurally sound.
Despite this, the bridge contains five identical arches. These arches are considerably higher than other structures.

The author has ranked this bridge as moderately significant, due to the historic age and early alterations.

The photo above is an overview. More photos of this bridge are hoped for the future.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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