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UP Laurel Avenue Bridge (Highland Park)

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Laurel Avenue
Highland Park, Lake County, Illinois

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Name UP Laurel Avenue Bridge (Highland Park)
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 84 Feet Total, 30 Foot Main Spans
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 10 Feet 6 Inches
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Steel Tower and Concrete
Date Built 1911
Traffic Count 60 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 23.09
C&NW Bridge Number 1349
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date July 2018


Located in the village of Highland Park, this steel girder bridge crosses Laurel Avenue between 1st Street and Sheridan Road.
Built in 1911, the bridge follows a typical pattern for a circa 1910 design. It consists of four deck girder spans, set onto steel piers and concrete abutments. In addition, each face is obscured by a pedestrian walkway for the nearby Metra station.
This type of design is common for grade separations in the early 20th Century. It was oftentimes used due to the ease of construction.
In addition, the bridge contains a ballasted deck, which appears to be in good condition.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition. No major deterioration was noted on the bridge, despite some minor deterioration.

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 Historical Society Archives
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele