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| Name | BNSF Callahan Creek Bridge Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Bridge #38.84 |
| Built By | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | BNSF Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 150 Feet Total, 60 Foot Main Span |
| Width | 2 Tracks |
| Height Above Ground | 25 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Deck Plate Girder and Concrete Modular Girder |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1904, Widened 1918; Approaches Replaced c. 2005 |
| Traffic Count | 50 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Bridge Number | 38.84 |
| BNSF Railway Bridge Number | 38.84 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 10/30/2021 |
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 east of Greenwood, this deck plate girder bridge carries the BNSF Railway mainline over Callahan Creek, alongside US Highway 6. Built in 1904, the bridge originally featured a 60-foot deck plate girder span, approached by a 30-foot deck plate girder span on either end. One of these 30-foot spans was originally reused from the 1879 Plattsmouth Bridge. In 1918, the bridge was significantly upgraded, with a second track added, and the end deck plate girders replaced with concrete slab spans. The entire bridge would be set onto concrete substructures, of which the main piers would simply be extended for a second track. This design was commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. The approaches of the bridge were replaced by modular concrete girder spans in approximately 2005. 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.
Citations
| Build Date | Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Valuation Summary at the Newberry Library |
| Build Date | Date of double tracking |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |