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| Name | MILW Bridge #TH-46.10 Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Bridge #TH-46.10 |
| Built By | Chicago Southern Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Private Owner |
| Contractor | Kinser Construction Company of Chicago, Illinois |
| Length | 15 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 15 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Concrete Arch |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1907 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned) |
| Current Status | Abandoned |
| Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Bridge Number | TH-46.10 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 4/16/2022 |
In 1890, the Evansville & Richmond Railroad (E&R) constructed 102 miles of new railroad, extending from Westport, Indiana to Elnora, Indiana. In 1893, the Bedford Belt Railway (BB) constructed a short 4 mile branch from Bedford to Oolithic, Indiana. The E&R was purchased by the Southern Indiana Railway (SI) in 1897. The SI constructed an additional 97 miles of new railroad to Terre Haute, Indiana in 1900; followed by an additional 34 miles to the Illinois Border near Quaker, Indiana. Between 1905 and 1907, the Chicago Southern Railway (CS) constructed 114 miles of railroad to Chicago Heights, Illinois. At Chicago Heights, the railroad connected to the Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal Railroad (B&OCT). Terminals were established at Blue Island, Illinois. The BB, SI ans CS were purchased by the Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern Railway (CTH&SE) in 1910. The CTH&SE had developed into a connecting railroad, primarily carrying coal and agricultural commodities.
In 1921, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Milwaukee Road) began a lease on the CTH&SE. The Milwaukee Road operated a large network of railroad lines throughout the Midwest, and desired a suitable way to access coal. The Milwaukee Road was often in financial trouble, especially after the costly Pacific Extension was completed in 1909. In 1925, the company declared bankruptcy, and reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1928. The CTH&SE was purchased by the Milwaukee Road in 1948. The Milwaukee Road utilized trackage rights over the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad and the B&OCT to reach Bensenville, where the railroad had its main yard in the Chicago area. During the second half of the 20th Century, financial conditions of this line would significantly deteriorate. Coal mines began to close in the 1950s. The line was abandoned between Westport and Seymour in 1961.
In 1973, the Milwaukee Road obtained trackage rights over the Louisville & Nashville Railroad from Bedford to Louisville. The segment from Seymour to Bedford would be abandoned in 1978. Due to deteriorated track conditions, the line between Chicago Heights and Terre Haute would be replaced by trackage rights over the former New York Central (NYC) Egyptian Line. North of Terre Haute, the line was abandoned between Chicago Heights and Donovan; as well as from Danville to near Terre Haute in 1980. The Kankakee, Beavervile & Southern Railroad (KBSR) acquired the segment between Donovan and Danville, Illinois in 1981. By 1985, a suitor for the Milwaukee Road was being sought, and the Soo
Line Railroad, controlled by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) purchased the
Milwaukee Road in 1986. CP continued to operate this line until 2006, when it sold the remaining line to the Indiana Rail Road. A portion between Crane Naval Base and Beford was abandoned in 2009, and acquired for trail use. Today, the Indiana Rail Road operates the segment from north of Terre Haute to Crane Naval Base while the KBSR continues to operate from Donovan to Danville. Sections of the line have become trails, including near Bedford and south of Chicago Heights.
Located in a rural area northeast of Grant Park, this small concrete arch bridge once carried the Milwaukee Road over an unnamed creek. Built in 1907, the bridge consists of a single 15-foot concrete arch span, set onto concrete substructures. This design was standardized, and used extensively for structures along this line. Typical of these structures, this bridge has triangular wing walls and a semicircular arch. Concrete and grading work on the line, including this bridge, was completed by Kinser Construction Company. Concrete arches such as this became popular in the early 20th Century, as they were cost effective, durable and easy to construct. In 1980, the bridge would be abandoned, and the ownership of the structure reverted to private ownership. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with some spalling noted throughout the bridge. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Builder and build date | The Railroad Gazette; Volume 38, Issue 9 |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |