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Loveland Rail Crossing

Through Girder Bridge over Union Pacific Railroad
Loveland, Pottawattamie County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Loveland Rail Crossing
Built By Illinois Central Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Canadian National Railway
Length 95 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built 1900
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
CN Bridge Number 495.00
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2015


Located near Loveland, this simple through girder bridge crosses the Union Pacific mainline just east of I-29.
Built in 1900, the bridge features a standard through girder, set onto stone abutments. This style bridge was very common on the Fort Dodge-Omaha line.
Although no builders plaque can be found, it seems likely that American Bridge Works fabricated this bridge. American Bridge Works worked on dozens of other plate girders for the IC, and seems to have received the exclusive contract for steel bridges on this line.
Oddly enough, many of the other grade separations on this line used through trusses. It is unknown why this span crossing a single through girder.

Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition with no significant deterioration.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date 1973 Illinois Central track profile
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele