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Manilla Rail Bridge

Through Plate Girder Bridge over W. Fork Nishnabotna River
Manilla, Crawford County, Iowa

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Name Manilla Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By BNSF Railway
Length 185 Feet Total, 85 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Steel and Timber Pile
Date Built 1941
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
BNSF Bridge Number 423.68
MILW Bridge Number Z-1378 1/2
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2018


This newer through girder bridge crosses the W. Fork Nishnabotna River parallel to 320th Street in Manilla.
Built in 1941 to replace a similar bridge, the bridge features a single through girder span, set onto steel pile substructures. In addition, the bridge is approached by a number of trestle spans. These are set onto timber substructures.
It is unknown why the previous bridge was replaced in 1941, but it likely stems from a channelization of the river. The through girder was originally set onto timber piles as well, but these were replaced in the 1980s or 1990s.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. Many of the structures along the Manilla-Council Bluffs section have been significantly upgraded since the fall of the Milwaukee Road and subsequent sale to Burlington Northern, leaving them in good overall condition.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date American Bridge Company plaque
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele