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UP Wolf Creek Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Wolf Creek
Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa

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Name UP Wolf Creek Bridge
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor (Superstructure) American Bridge Company of New York
Contractor (1940 Substructures) F.K. Ketler of Chicago
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 135 Feet Total, 70 Foot Largest Span
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1912, North Span Added 1940
Traffic Count 10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
Bridge Number 17.00
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date February 2021


View an article about the construction of this route.

Located near 242nd Avenue south of Chariton, this deck girder bridge crosses Wolf Creek.
While the original bridge was built in 1913, the rebuilt in 1940. The south span was built in 1912 and is original to this location. However, the north span was added in 1940. It appears that the original north approach was a wooden trestle. The bridge rests on concrete substructures.
In addition, steel H-pile helper bents have been added near the pier, and additional bracings added. This was likely done due to the weak nature of these spans. Oddly enough, there are several larger spans that are just as old as these spans, which have not been modified.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with corrective action taken on the spans. Unfortunately, the plaque for the south span was removed between August 2017 and August 2019.

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

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Dates American Bridge Company plaques
Contractor American Bridge Company plaques
Contractor The Railway Age Volume 109
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele