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Russell White Nature Trail Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over North Raccoon River
Lanesboro, Carroll County, Iowa

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Name Russell White Nature Trail Bridge
Built By Chicago Great Western Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Carroll County
Length 325 Feet Total, 90 Foot Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 30 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder and Trestle
Substructure Type Concrete and Timber Pile
Date Built 1903
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is a Trail)
Current Status Rails to Trails
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date March 2021


Located near Lanesboro, this large deck girder bridge carries the Russell White Nature Trail over the North Raccoon River at Hobbs County Park.
Built during the initial construction of the line in 1903, the bridge features a pair of deck girders, set onto concrete substructures. In addition, the bridge is approached by a series of trestle spans on the north side.
These spans are rather large, measuring at 90 feet each. These are some of the largest deck girder spans constructed on the Fort Dodge-Council Bluffs line.
Postcards seem to show that the initial bridge here was a large trestle, and was likely replaced right after the rail line initially opened to traffic.
Overall, the bridge itself appears to be in fair to good condition, with some spalling noted on the concrete. However, the deck is quite spongy in places, due to the quick construction of the trail surface.

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

North Raccoon River Railroad Bridges
Upstream Lake City Rail Bridge (C&NW)
Downstream UP North Raccoon River Bridge

Citations

Source Type

Source

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