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Abandoned Calmus Creek Bridge

Steel Stringer Bridge over Calmus Creek
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Abandoned Calmus Creek Bridge
Built By Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway
Contractor Bethlehem Steel Company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Currently Owned By City of Mason City
Length 50 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Steel Stringer
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1947
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned, Awaiting Trail Development
M&StL Bridge Number 63
Significance Minimal Significance
Documentation Date April 2021


Located on the north side of Mason City, this small steel stringer bridge crosses Calmus Creek near 17th Street.
Built in 1947 to replace an older bridge, this structure features a single steel stringer span, set onto concrete substructures. During the 1940s, M&StL installed dozens of these spans throughout the system.
Currently, the bridge is abandoned with the rails removed. However, it is planned to become part of the Mason City High Line Trail.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with little deterioration.

The author has ranked this bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

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