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UP K-4 Bridge

Deck Girder Bridge over K-4
Herington, Dickinson County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP K-4 Bridge
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor (Superstructure) American Bridge Company of New York
Contractor (Substructure) Cedar Rapids Construction Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 203 Feet Total, 50 Foot Main Span
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 25 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Girder and Concrete Arch
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1924
Traffic Count 20 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 170.20
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date March 2017


This unique overpass carries a Union Pacific mainline across K-4.
It was built in 1924 as part of an improvement plan by the Rock Island. The bridge was likely originally constructed to cross the creek below.
The bridge also crosses Lime Creek. It is a rather large structure which is a fairly iconic overpass.
The bridge consists of a massive deck girder span, approached by concrete arch spans on either side. The entire bridge is set onto concrete substructures.

Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. It is one of the busiest bridges along this line, due to the location at the end of a rail yard.
Because of this, the author has ranked it as being locally significant. Despite it being a unique underpass, it is still a common design and more modern.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Date stamp
Contractor American Bridge Company plaque
Build Date and Contractor Railway Age, Volume 74
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele