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Pratt Creek Trail Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Pratt Creek
Garrison, Benton County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Pratt Creek Trail Bridge
Built By Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad
Contractor Detroit Bridge & Iron Works of Detroit
Currently Owned By Benton County Conservation
Length 88 Feet Total, 44 Foot Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Concrete
Date Built Ca. 1900
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
RI Bridge Number 33.3
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date December 2019


Located between Dysart and Garrison, this deck girder bridge crosses Pratt Creek.
Much is unknown about the bridge, although it appears to be rather old. The author estimates the bridge was likely built between 1898 and 1900, judging by the missing plaques and substructures.
The bridge consists of two deck girder spans, set onto stone abutments and a concrete pier. This bridge likely replaced an 1880s truss bridge, which had become too light for traffic.
These girders have also been strengthened by adding an additional X-bracing with high strength bolts. This probably occurred in the 1990s, before the railroad abandoned the line. This may imply that the bridge is indeed older than 1900.
Detroit Bridge & Iron Works appears to have built this bridge. The distinct plaque shape is occasionally seen on railroad bridges. This company was building railroad spans as far back as the late 1860s, but became main stream for smaller spans in the late 1880s.
By 1890, the company was producing a great number of railroad spans, which only increased through the 1890s. The company was one of 28 merged into American Bridge Company, and their manufacturing plant remained open until 1903.
Overall, the bridge is in fair to poor condition. While the superstructure appears to be strong and well maintained, the west abutment has begun failing. Without proper correctional measures, this bridge is in serious jeopardy.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

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