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Kimmswick Rail Bridge

Warren Pony Truss Bridge over Rock Creek
Kimmswick, Jefferson County, Missouri

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Kimmswick Rail Bridge
Built By Missouri Pacific Railroad
Contractor Detroit Bridge & Iron Works of Detroit
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 282 Feet Total, 104 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Warren Pony Truss and Deck Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1902, Approaches Rebuilt 1947
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 20.90
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date June 2016


This large pony truss crosses Rock Creek in Kimmswick, Missouri.
The bridge features a pony truss, which is quite heavy for the time it was built. This span was constructed by Detroit Bridge & Iron Works in 1902.
This truss features six panels of riveted Warren Pony Truss design. It is set onto concrete substructures.
It is likely the bridge originally contained trestle approaches on the north side. These have been replaced with deck girder spans, set onto concrete and steel pile piers. The south approach is similar in design, but contains concrete piers.
A single jump span of concrete slab approaches from the south. The bridge here is a rather unique structure full of curious build dates and a unique contrast in design.

The main pony truss span is unique, because of the heavily built riveted connections. Most spans like this at the time would be using pinned connections. It is very unique to see such an early example of this.
The author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant due to the unique details of the bridge. The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Missouri Pacific Annual Report
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele