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UP Pratt Street Bridge

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

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Pratt Street Bridge
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 28 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 11 Feet 9 Inches
Superstructure Type Steel Stringer
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1939
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Bridge Number 42.20
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date August 2019


Located north of Melcher-Dallas, this simple steel stringer bridge crosses Pratt Street near County Road S45.
Built in 1939, the bridge features a single steel stringer span, set onto concrete abutments. This design is common along the former Rock Island lines.
The bridge is also very similar to the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge near Davenport.
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 National Bridge Inventory
Contractor Missing Plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele