logo

UP Elkhorn River Bridge (Waterloo)

Pratt Through Truss Bridge over Elkhorn River
Waterloo, Douglas County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Elkhorn River Bridge (Waterloo)
Built By Union Pacific Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 813 Feet Total, 163 Foot Main Span
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Pratt Through Truss and Through Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1906
Traffic Count 30 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 23.86
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date January 2017

Another typical Union Pacific bridge crosses the Elkhorn River near Waterloo, Nebraska.
Built in 1906 to replace a single track bridge, this structure contains a large 6-panel, pin connected Pratt Through Truss. Approaching to the east are 10 spans of through plate girder.
The entire bridge sits on concrete substructures.
This main span has a portal style typical of Union Pacific bridges. The bridge also contains a number of plaques and cutouts, indicating dates and contractors.
Overall, the bridge is in fair condition.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the notoriety of being a truss.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from nearby trails.

Elkhorn River Railroad Bridges
Upstream Arlington Rail Bridge
Downstream Mouth at Missouri River

Citations

Source Type

Source
Build Date Portal Cutout
Build Date American Bridge Company plaque
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele