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Webster City Rail Bridge

Quadrangular Through Truss Bridge over Boone River
Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Webster City Rail Bridge
Built By Chicago & North Western Railway
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Length 320 Feet Total, 120 Foot Main Spans
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 20 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Quadrangular Through Truss and Deck Girder
Substructure Type Stone Masonry and Concrete
Date Built 1902, Approaches Added 1914
Traffic Count 2 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
UP Bridge Number 35.69
Significance Moderate Significance
Documentation Date April and October 2017


The most unique bridge in Webster City is this large truss bridge, on the north edge of town.
This structure was built in 1902, with the approaches added in 1914. Constructed of a pair of massive quadrangular through truss spans, the structure rests on stone and concrete substructures. A single deck girder approach exists on the north end.
The trusses contain riveted connections as well as a unique feature, laced endposts. It is unknown how many structures of this design were built.
In addition, the north abutment has a date of 1901 inscribed into it.

The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the unique truss design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from a boat launch nearby.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Chicago & North Western Railway Historical Society Archives
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele