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Presho Rail Bridge (East)

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Medicine Creek
Presho, Lyman County, South Dakota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Presho Rail Bridge (East)
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific Railway
Contractor Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company of Milwaukee
Currently Owned By Ringneck & Western Railroad
Length 160 Feet Total, 45 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Timber Pile
Date Fabricated 1913
Date Erected 1922
Original Location Bridge #R-136; Ft. Atkinson, Iowa
Traffic Count 1 Train/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
MLIW Bridge Number W-88
Significance Local Significance


This bridge is a moderate sized Through Girder bridge over Medicine Creek on the east side of Presho.
Originally built in 1913 as part of a two span bridge #R-136 across an unnamed creek bridge near Ft. Atkinson, Iowa; these two spans were replaced in approximately 1920 and sent to Tomah, Wisconsin; where it sat for spare parts at the bridge shop.
In August 1922, it was decided that the original trestle at this location needed to be replaced by a permanent bridge. As part of the work, one span from R-136 was changed into a skew design by cutting stringers, and installed here between October 10th and October 17th of the same year. The design of the spans was standard for the Milwaukee Road, including curved ends and vertical center ends.
Currently constructed of a single through girder span, the bridge is approached by trestle spans. The entire structure is set onto wooden substructures.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. Work had been done to rehabilitate the bridge during the 2010s.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge is easily accessible from Presho.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Erection Date Milwaukee Road Bridge Records at the South Dakota State Historical Society
Main Span Build Date and Builder Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company Plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele