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| Name | BNSF Haines Branch Bridge #2 Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Bridge #70.76 |
| Built By | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | BNSF Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 76 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 5 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Through Plate Girder |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1893 |
| Traffic Count | 15 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Bridge Number | 70.76 |
| BNSF Railway Bridge Number | 70.76 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 10/26/2019 |
In 1871, the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska (BMRN) began construction on 87 miles of new railroad, extending from Lincoln, Nebraska to Harvard, Nebraska. This line was a planned mainline, extending from Chicago to Denver. The following year, the line would be completed an additional 25 miles to Kenesaw, Nebraska. In 1880, the BMRN constructed a 42 mile segment from Oxford, Nebraska to Indianola, Nebraska, followed by a 110 mile segment to Wray, Nebraska in 1881. The line was completed west to Denver in 1882. In 1883, the line would be extended an additional 40 miles to Holdredge, Nebraska, followed by another 25 miles to Oxford in 1884, connecting the two lines, and completing the mainline from Chicago to Denver. Since 1880, the BMRN had been controlled by stock by the same interests
that controlled the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
(CB&Q). The BMRN was formally sold to the CB&Q in 1908. The CB&Q and associated ownership came in control or
constructed a large number of lines throughout Iowa and Nebraska, and
this route would come to serve as one of the most significant routes owned by the CB&Q. Significant upgrades and realignments were made at various points, including a new 4 mile cutoff between Cushman and Cobb to connect the two CB&Q mainlines at Lincoln, completed in 1910. Further work was done throughout in the 1930s and 1950s. 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 Lincoln-McCook segment as the Hastings Subdivision.
Located near Denton, this through girder bridge crosses Haines Branch alongside Yankee Hill Road. Reportedly constructed in 1893, the bridge consists of a single 76-foot through plate girder span, set onto concrete substructures. The through girder utilizes a standard CB&Q design, including a ballasted floor consisting of numerous parallel floorbeams, and deep tapered ends. This design of through girder was used between the 1890s and 1940s, with only slight modifications to the standard design. The bridge was reportedly originally built onto stone and concrete abutments, although it is unknown if the stonework has been silted in. It is also possible that the bridge was moved here from another location, as concrete would not have been regularly used as a substructure material until the late 1890s. This style 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 this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Build Date | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Valuation Summary at the Newberry Library |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |