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| Name | OPPD 4th Terrace Bridge Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Bridge #5.25 |
| Built By | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | Omaha Public Power District |
| Superstructure Contractor | Vierling Steel Works of Chicago |
| Length | 52 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 12 Feet 6 Inches |
| Superstructure Design | Steel Stringer |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry |
| Date Built | 1970 |
| Traffic Count | 1 Train/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Bridge Number | 5.25 |
| Significance | No Significance |
| Documentation Date | 10/7/2019 |
In 1869, the Midland Pacific Railway (MPR) began construction on an 83 mile new railroad line, extending from Nebraska City, Nebraska to Seward, Nebraska. The MPR was consolidated into the Nebraska Railway in 1875, and the railroad completed a bridge across the Missouri River into Iowa in 1888. The railroad would be purchased by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad (CB&Q) in 1908. The CB&Q came in control of or
constructed a large number of
lines throughout Iowa and Nebraska, and this railroad would be a secondary route. CB&Q merged with Northern Pacific Railway and
Great Northern Railway to form Burlington Northern Railroad (BN). The bridge across the Missouri River was abandoned in 1982, and BN sold the Nebraska City to Lincoln segment to the Omaha Public Power District. The Lincoln to Seward segment was abandoned in 1983, as it was parallel to an existing CB&Q/BN mainline. The bridge across the Missouri River was removed in the late 1980s. BN
merged with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1996 to form
BNSF Railway. OPPD continues to own the Arbor Line between Nebraska City and Lincoln, with BNSF currently operating the route.
Located in Nebraska City, this steel stringer bridge carries the Omaha Public Power District "Arbor Line" over 4th Terrace. The previous bridge at this location was a 52-foot through plate girder span, fabricated in 1888. By 1970, that bridge had become too light for the coal traffic operating over the route, and the bridge would be replaced by a 52-foot steel stringer span, fabricated the Vierling Steel Works. The steel stringer span uses the stone abutments from the previous bridge, originally constructed in 1888. This design of bridge was used by railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. As of 2024, the bridge is reportedly operated by BNSF Railway. The author has ranked this bridge as having no significance, due to the modern age.
Citations
| Builder and build date | Vierling Steel Works plaque |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |