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UP Otter Creek Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Otter Creek
Goldfield, Wright County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Otter Creek Bridge
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 180 Feet Total, 60 Foot Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1909
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
C&NW Bridge Number 715
UP Bridge Number 58.09
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date March 2020


Located northwest of Goldfield, this deck girder bridge crosses Otter Creek in the Otter Creek Wildlife Area.
Built in 1909, the bridge consists of three spans of deck plate girder, set onto concrete substructures. The bridge is typical for this era, and no alterations have been made since the original construction.
This type of bridge is commonly used to cross creeks and roads. In particular, large multi-span structures such as this are favorites for larger creeks and rivers. This is due to the ease of construction and the limited maintenance required.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition. Some spalling is noted throughout the substructures, although the superstructures remain in excellent condition.

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