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NS Crooked River Bridge

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Crooked River
Near Hardin, Ray County, Missouri

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name NS Crooked River Bridge
Built By Wabash Railroad
Contractor Detroit Bridge & Iron Works of Detroit
Currently Owned By Norfolk Southern Railway
Length 540 Feet Total, 82 Foot Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Girder and Concrete Slab
Superstructure Type Concrete and Steel Pile
Date Fabricated (Girders) 1907
Date Erected 1923, Approaches Rebuilt 2011
Original Location Forked Creek; Will County, Illinois
Traffic Count 15 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
NS Bridge Number 231.02
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date August 2017


This large through girder bridge crosses the Crooked River near Hardin.
Sitting parallel to the BNSF Bridge, this structure is a well hidden gem.
Built in 1923, the bridge reused a pair of spans from Will County, Illinois. These spans were built in 1907 to cross Forked Creek.
Originally, the through girders were approached by trestle spans. In 2007, these spans were replaced with modern concrete spans.
In addition, it rests on concrete encased stone substructures.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. One unique piece of trivia about this bridge is the use of a Detroit Bridge & Iron Works, which was consolidated into American Bridge Company in 1900.

The author ranks this bridge as being locally significant, due to the relocation history of the bridge.
The photo above is an overview. It can be accessed from nearby roads.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Wabash Railroad Bridge Records
Original Location Wabash Railroad Bridge Records
Contractor Missing plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele