One of the only roads into the Fort Osage area of Sibley, Missouri involves crossing this bridge.
This medium sized pin connected Pratt Through Truss was recycled and reused from another location, likely where the Little Blue River Btidge currently stands, only a couple of miles away.
This location is presumed to be the original location of this bridge. The bridge there was double tracked and rebuilt in 1908; meaning an older single track truss built in 1888 was to be removed.
At the Little Blue River location, there is a single pier made of stone. This was extended with concrete by adding concrete. This single pier may give a clue to a past bridge at this location.
An identical bridge exists over this same mainline in Carroll County, and carries road traffic. The author is unsure if this means these structures were once part of the same bridge, or if it was a standard plan during the building of the railroad in 1888.
The bridge here is a single span, 9-panel pin connected Pratt Through Truss. The portal bracings of this bridge suggest Edge Moor Bridge Works; although this has not been confirmed.
It rests on concrete substructures. The bridge contains a concrete deck, which has likely been upgraded since 1913. The bridge was last rehabilitated in 1998.
The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the unique history. Unfortunately, the bridge is only a single lane. Replacement has been discussed several times over the years.
It is hoped by the author that this bridge can be reused or relocated; as it is a significant piece of the history of Sibley and Jackson County. The identical bridge in Carroll County was replaced in August 2020, but was given away to a local resident to be placed in a field.
The photo above is looking north across the bridge.