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RI Br. Little Fourmile Creek Arch

Concrete Arch Bridge over Unnamed Tributary of Little Fourmile Creek
Altoona, Polk County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name RI Br. Little Fourmile Creek Arch
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Private Owner?
Length 12 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Concrete Arch
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1896
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date February 2020


Located between Altoona and Pleasant Hill, this unique concrete arch bridge is a remain of the line towards Pella.
Built in 1896, the bridge features a small concrete arch span, crossing an unnamed tributary of Little Fourmile Creek.
Typically, railroads did not begin building concrete arches until after 1900. This appears to be an early version of a concrete arch.
Unfortunately, the arch has significant structural issues. The main arch line has entirely failed, putting a massive hole in the west wall. In addition, severe scouring will eventually cause the east wall to fail as well.
It is unknown who currently owns the bridge, but it is easily accessed from the Gay Lea Wilson Trail.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Date Stamp
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele