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UP Fish Creek Bridge #1

Deck Girder Bridge over Fish Creek
Blair, Washington County, Nebraska

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Fish Creek Bridge #1
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 250 Feet Total, 95 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry
Date Built 1904
Traffic Count 40 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 340.18
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date October 2015


This large deck girder bridge crosses Fish Creek and Marina Drive in Blair.
Built in 1904, the bridge is a very simply composed deck girder structure. It contains three large spans, set onto stone substructures.
Fortunately, it also appears to be in great condition. It is likely the third bridge at this location. A truss or lighter girder was likely the predecessor to this span.
The bridge may be replaced in the near future however, because Union Pacific has suggested the idea of widening the Missouri River Bridge and other tracks to include double track operation.

The author ranks this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from Marina Drive.

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