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UP Newbold Street Bridge

Steel Stringer Bridge over Newbold Street
Melcher-Dallas, Marion County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Newbold Street Bridge
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor Worden-Allen Company of Milwaukee
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 88 Feet Total, 35 Foot Main Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 13 Feet 6 Inches
Superstructure Type Steel Stringer and Trestle
Substructure Type Steel and Timber Pile
Date Built 1949, Relocated here Ca. 1983
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Bridge Number 45.00
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date August 2019


Located north of Melcher-Dallas, this simple steel stringer bridge crosses Newbold Street.
Built in 1949, the bridge features a single steel span, set onto concrete capped steel pile piers. Trestle spans approach the main span on either side. The bridge also utilizes a ballasted deck.
It is highly doubted that this bridge is original to this location. The piers strongly indicate that the bridge probably replaced another bridge in the 1980s, when C&NW upgraded this line.
In addition, Worden-Allen is known to have worked with the C&NW, but not necessarily the Rock Island.
This type of bridge was common for both crossing small creeks and roadways, due to the simple nature of the design.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with little deterioration noted on the steel span.

The author has rated this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Plaque
Contractor Plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele