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| Name | Katy Trail - Loutre River Bridge |
| Built By | Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Missouri State Parks |
| Superstructure Contractor | A&P Roberts Company (Pencoyd Iron Works) of Pencoyd, Pennsylvania |
| Length | 225 Feet Total, 155 Foot Main Span |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 20 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Pratt Through Truss and Timber Pile Trestle |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry, Concrete and Timber Pile |
| Date Built | 1897 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Open to Pedestrian Traffic) |
| Current Status | Open to Pedestrian Traffic |
| Significance | Moderate Significance |
| Documentation Date | 6/17/2016 |
In 1872, the Tebo and Neosho Railroad Company (T&N) constructed 72 miles of new railroad line, extending from Sedalia, Missouri to Moberly, Missouri. The new line crossed the Missouri River at Boonville, using an impressive iron bridge. The T&N would be acquired by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway (MKT) in 1873. By the late 1880s, the MKT desired to enter the St. Louis area, and the Cleveland, St. Louis & Kansas City Railway began construction on 162 miles of new railroad, extending from New Franklin, Missouri to St. Charles/Machens, Missouri in 1890. The railroad would be completed by the Missouri, Kansas & Eastern Railway in 1893, and the railroad merged into the MKT in 1896. In 1899, the Missouri Midland Railway would complete a 13-mile branch line, extending from the mainline at McBaine, Missouri to Columbia, Missouri. The branch line was sold to the MKT in 1901. This railroad formed the eastern portion of the principal mainline for the MKT, connecting St. Louis to the MKT system which had greatly expanded into Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas during the 1880s. In 1923, the MKT reorganized as the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. In 1975, the line between Fayette and Moberly would be abandoned, and the New Franklin to Fayette segment would be abandoned in 1978. The Columbia line would be abandoned in 1980, and converted to a trail in 1982. Due to the proximity to the Missouri River, the line was prone to washouts. A severe flood in 1986 damaged the line, and it was decided to not repair the line. In 1988, the MKT was merged into Union
Pacific Railroad (UP), and UP would donate the line to Missouri State Parks. The line was then converted to trail use, opening between Machens and Sedalia in 1993. Today, the Machens to Sedalia segment is part of the Katy Trail, while the Columbia branch is known as the MKT Nature Trail.
Located in McKittrick, this Pratt through truss bridge carries the Katy Trail over the Loutre River. The first bridge at this location was likely a wooden trestle bridge, constructed in 1892 when the line was built. In 1897, the bridge would be replaced by the current bridge. The bridge consists of a 155-foot, 6-panel pin connected Pratt through truss, set onto a stone pier and concrete west abutment. The east side of the bridge is approached by wooden trestle spans. The truss span utilizes a crested portal, laced vertical members and pinned connections, a standard Katy truss design during this era. The west abutment may have been constructed as a trestle approach was filled. A plaque on the bridge indicates the bridge was constructed by A&P Roberts Company, also known as Pencoyd Iron Works. The Katy contracted extensively with this company for bridges, and A&P Roberts provided numerous spans throughout the system. The Pratt design became the dominant truss bridge design during between 1880 and 1900, as it provided strength, durability and a simple design. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The bridge has since been converted to the Katy Trail. The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
Citations
| Builder and build date | A&P Roberts Company plaque |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |