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UP Soldier Creek Bridge (Topeka)

Through Plate Girder Bridge over Soldier Creek
Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name UP Soldier Creek Bridge (Topeka)
Built By Union Pacific Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 246 Feet Total, 95 Foot Main Span
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 25 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1959
Traffic Count 45 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 64.88
Significance Minimal Significance
Documentation Date December 2019


Located on the north side of Topeka, this large through girder bridge was built to cross Soldier Creek in response to a flood control project.
During the flood of 1951, Soldier Creek was one of the key issues for Topeka flooding. Because that flood devastated the area, the Army Corps of Engineers decided to build a series of flood control projects. Included was a channelization of Soldier Creek.
Built in 1959, the consists of three through plate girder spans, set onto concrete substructures. Prior to 1959, Soldier Creek actually went further east and was crossed by an older through girder bridge near Calhoun Bluff Road.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deteriorations or alterations noted.

The author has ranked this bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design and newer age.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Flood Control Project
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele