Abandoned Mud Creek Bridge (Lawrence)

Lawrence , Douglas County, Kansas

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Name	Abandoned Mud Creek Bridge (Lawrence) Union Pacific Railroad Bridge #35.95
Built By	Union Pacific Railroad
Currently Owned By	Union Pacific Railroad
Superstructure Contractor	Unknown
Length	162 Feet Total, 70 Foot Main Span
Width	1 Track
Height Above Ground	15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Design	Through Plate Girder and Timber Pile Trestle
Substructure Design	Timber Pile
Date Built	1908
Traffic Count	0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status	Abandoned
Union Pacific Railroad Bridge Number	35.95
Significance	Local Significance
Documentation Date	9/3/2016

In 1866, the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division (UP-ED) constructed 31 miles of new railroad, extending from Lawrence, Kansas to Leavenworth, Kansas. The UP-ED would be merged into the Kansas Pacific Railway (KP) in 1869. The KP continued construction westwards, constructing an additional 234 miles to Denver, Colorado in 1870. The KP was sold to the Union Pacific Railway in 1880. The railroad would change its name to the Union Pacific Railroad in 1901. The UP had constructed a vast network of railroads, extending from the Missouri River westwards. This route served as a connection between terminals at Leavenworth and the former KP line. After UP acquired rights to use the Missouri Pacific Railroad line between Kansas City and Leavenworth, this route became unneeded and was abandoned in 1977. Today, a small segment in Lawrence is operated as the Union Pacific Lawrence Industrial Lead.

Located on the north side of Lawrence, this through girder bridge once carried the Union Pacific Leavenworth Branch across Mud Creek. Reportedly built in 1908, the bridge consists of a 70-foot through plate girder span, approached by timber pile trestle spans and set onto timber pile substructures. This design of bridge was commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. It is currently unknown if this bridge was moved here from another location. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with no significant deterioration noted. In particular, the through girder span appears to be in good condition. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.

Citations

Build date	Union Pacific Railroad Valuation Engineering Field Notes at the National Archives
Railroad History Citation	ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele