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UP Bridge #157.27

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Unnamed Field Drainage
Detroit, Dickinson County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Bridge #157.27
Built By Union Pacific Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 35 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built Ca. 1905
Traffic Count 3 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 157.27
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date December 2019


Located along Old US Highway 40 between Chapman and Detroit, this small through girder bridge crosses an unnamed field drainage.
Built in approximately 1905, the bridge consists of a single through girder span, set onto concrete substructures. The girder appears to have some modifications, including ribs with holes. It is unknown if these are original to the bridge, or could possibly indicate a rebuilding.
These style bridges were commonly used along this line, due to the cheap cost, easy maintenance and availability of mass produced spans such as this.
While no date on the bridge can be found, most bridges along this line were either built around 1899-1900, or around 1905-06. Unlike the bridge to the east, this one is much more similar to the 1906 spans east of Manhattan.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. While the substructure is spalling, the superstructure is in excellent condition.

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 Estimated
Contractor Missing Plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele