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UP Bridge #61.77

Steel Stringer Bridge over Unnamed Creek and Cattle Pass
South of Renwick, Wright County, Iowa

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Name UP Bridge #61.77
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 47 Feet Total, 28 Foot Largest Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Steel Stringer
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1916
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
C&NW Bridge Number 724
UP Bridge Number 61.77
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date March 2020


Located southeast of Renwick, this two span stringer bridge crosses an unnamed creek and a farm pass.
Built in 1916, the bridge consists of two different steel stringer spans. The southern span is slightly longer, and consists of a deeper web. The northern span is shorter and has a shallow web. These two spans both sit on concrete substructures.
The difference in spans is likely due to the difference in size. However, this also could indicate that the two spans were installed in 1916, using spans that were left over on other projects.
These types of bridges are extremely common, due to the durability and ease of construction. It appears very little has changed since the initial construction.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in excellent condition, with virtually no significant deterioration noted.

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 Chicago & North Western Railway Historical Society Archives
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele