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Sheridan Rail Bridge

Pratt Deck Truss Bridge over Fox River
Sheridan, LaSalle County, Illinois

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Sheridan Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Illinois Railway
Length 448 Feet Total, 155 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 25 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Deck Truss, I-Beam and Trestle
Substructure Type Stone Masonry, Steel Tower and Timber Pile
Date Built 1878 and 1905
Date Replaced (1878 Span) Ca. 1980
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
IR Bridge Number 65.33
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date July 2015


Located near Sheridan, little is known about this truss bridge.
The bridge appears in photographs from the 1960s and 1970s as a two span deck truss bridge, with trestle approaches. The bridge was originally constructed in 1878, using a Whipple Deck Truss. The Pratt Deck Truss was added in 1905.
At an unknown date, the bridge was altered, and the Whipple Deck Truss was replaced.
Currently, the bridge contains a 8-panel, pin connected and riveted Pratt Deck Truss with heavy members. It is approached by I-Beams to the north, which replaced the older truss. In addition, both ends contain trestle approach. The bridge rests on steel, stone and wood substructures.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, although the structure has been significantly altered since construction.

The author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design. However, if the Whipple Truss was still extant, the bridge would be ranked higher.
The photo above is an overview, with a poor sun angle.

Fox River Railroad Bridges
Upstream Montgomery Rail Bridge
Downstream CSX Fox River Bridge

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Collection at the Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele