BNSF 20th Street Bridge (Omaha)

Name	BNSF 20th Street Bridge (Omaha) Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Bridge #17.73
Built By	Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Currently Owned By	BNSF Railway
Superstructure Contractor	Unknown (Main Span) Vierling Steel Works of Chicago (Approach Spans)
Length	98 Feet
Width	1 Track
Height Above Ground	15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Design	Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Design	Stone Masonry and Steel Bent
Date Built	1891, Approaches Rebuilt 1953
Traffic Count	10 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status	In Use
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Bridge Number	17.73
BNSF Railway Bridge Number	17.73
Significance	Local Significance
Documentation Date	1/27/2017

In 1869, the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska (BMRN) would continue constructing westwards from Pacific Junction, reaching milepost 12. The following year, a 17 mile extension from Oreapolis, Nebraska north to Omaha would be made, and an additional 48 miles to Lincoln would be constructed from milepost 12. A permanent bridge across the Missouri River at Plattsmouth would be completed in 1880. Since 1880, the BMRN had been controlled by stock by the same interests that controlled the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q). The CB&Q and associated ownership came in control or constructed a large number of lines throughout Iowa and Nebraska. This route would serve as a piece of the planned Chicago to Denver mainline, which reached Denver in 1883. In 1885, the Omaha and South Western Railway constructed 4 miles of new railroad from Omaha, to South Omaha. In 1886, the Omaha and North Platte Railroad (O&NP) completed an additional 30 miles of railroad, extending from Omaha to Ashland, where it met the main line. The 4 miles constructed in 1885 were sold to the O&NP in 1887, and the O&NP sold to the BMRN in 1887. The BMRN was formally sold to the CB&Q in 1908, and CB&Q continued to operate these routes as parallel mainline, and a second track was added from Lincoln to Waverly in 1910, and Waverly to Ashland in 1918. CB&Q merged with Northern Pacific Railway and Great Northern Railway to form Burlington Northern Railroad (BN). BN merged with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1996 to form BNSF Railway. BNSF continues to operate the Oreapolis-Omaha-Ashland line as the Omaha Subdivision, and the Pacific Junction to Lincoln segment as the Creston Subdivision.

Located in Omaha, this bridge is the southern of two nearby bridges across 20th Street. Prior to the construction of this bridge, a grade crossing existed at this location. Grade crossings were both a hazard and nuisance to the public, and by the end of the 19th Century, cities throughout the United States were passing ordinances to replace such crossings with overpasses or underpasses. In 1890, the City of Omaha desired the construction of a grade separation at 20th Street, resulting in the construction of a bridge in 1891. The bridge originally consisted of one 60-foot deck plate girder span, approached by a 19-foot span on either end. The bridge was set onto stone abutments and steel bents. In 1953, the approach spans of the bridge would be replaced by new deck girder spans, and the original main span retained. It is believed these spans were replaced due to loading restrictions, as a 19-foot span would have been significantly lighter than the present spans. This design of bridge was commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.

Build Date (main span)	Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Valuation Summary at the Newberry Library
Builder and build date (approach spans)	Vierling Steel Works plaque
Railroad History Citation	ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele

BNSF 20th Street Bridge (Omaha)

Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska