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NW Bridge #390.73

Steel Stringer Bridge over Unnamed Tributary of Silver Creek
Silver City, Mills County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name NW Bridge #390.73
Built By Wabash Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Iowa DNR
Length 48 Feet Total, 22 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Steel Stringer
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Built Ca. 1935
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
NW Bridge Number 390.73
Significance Minimal Significance
Documentation Date November 2020


Located south of Silver City, this steel stringer trestle carries the Wabash Trace Nature Trail across an unnamed tributary of Silver Creek.
Little is known about the history of this bridge. The bridge consists of three steel stringer spans, of which the center span is larger than the two approaches. The entire bridge rests on timber substructures. The author is currently investigating the history of this bridge further.
Many "I-Beam trestles" like this were built during the 1930s and 1940s along this route. The Wabash preferred them, because maintenance was easier than if a timber trestle was used.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no major deterioration noted.

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 Estimated
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele