logo

RCP&E Bad River Bridge #15

Quadrangular Through Truss Bridge over Bad River
Fort Pierre, Stanley County, South Dakota

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name RCP&E Bad River Bridge #15
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad
Length 400 Feet Total, 140 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Quadrangular Through Truss, Through Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Steel Caisson and Timber Pile
Date Built 1924
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
RCP&E Bridge Number 1507
Significance Local Significance

Located in Fort Pierre, this massive bridge is the 15th crossing of the Bad River along this route.
Built in 1924 to replace a previous wooden Howe Truss built in 1906, this bridge features a large Quadrangular Through Truss main span. In addition, the bridge features a through girder approach on the west, as well as trestle on the east.
The main trusses follow a standardized design for this time period, including A-Frame portal bracing, riveted connections and heavy stringers. The main spans rest on concrete substructures.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition.

The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design. In addition, this bridge has recieved a lower rating due to the high number of significant trusses in Western South Dakota.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from nearby roads.

Bad River Railroad Bridges
Upstream RCP&E Bad River Bridge #14
Downstream RCP&E Bad River Bridge #16

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