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| Name | CN Bridge #100.0 Illinois Central Railroad Bridge #D-100.0 |
| Built By | Illinois Central Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | Canadian National Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 8 Feet Total |
| Width | 3 Tracks, 1 In Use |
| Height Above Ground | 10 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Concrete Arch |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1906 |
| Traffic Count | 10 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Illinois Central Railroad Bridge Number | D-100.0 |
| Canadian National Railway Bridge Number | 100.0 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 11/6/2022 |
In 1871, the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad (GC&S) completed 102 miles of new railroad, extending from the Illinois Central Railroad (IC) mainline at Gilman, Illinois to Springfield, Illinois. This route provided an underserved area in Central Illinois with a reliable railroad connection. In 1873, the GC&S would become bankrupt, and in 1877 would be acquired by IC subsidiary Chicago & Springfield Railroad (C&S). The C&S was formally consolidated into the IC in 1902, and IC significantly improved the track between Gilman and Springfield, constructing new bridges and realigning the railroad. Further improvements would be made in 1923, when a segment near Springfield would be double tracked. By the 20th Century, the IC was a respected railroad, operating an extensive railroad network through the central United States. Throughout the later part of the 20th Century, traffic on this line began to fall, and the line became more of a connecting line for the railroad. In 1972, the IC merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad (GM&O) to form the Illinois Central Gulf (ICG). In 1988, the ICG was reorganized as the Illinois Central Railroad (IC). In 1998, IC was purchased by the Canadian National Railway (CN). Today, CN continues to operate this line as the Gilman Subdivision.
Located in the town of Melvin, this standard reinforced concrete arch bridge crosses an unnamed drainage near the northeast side of town. The first bridge at this location was likely a timber pile trestle. In 1906, the bridge would be replaced by an 8-foot flat top concrete arch span, set onto concrete abutments. The bridge utilizes a standard Illinois Central design, including stepped wing walls, and an unusually shaped arch. While the bridge was constructed for three tracks, only one remains in use. Illinois Central preferred the "flat top" design for short spans, as it required less material and reinforcement. In addition, this type of span was particularly well adept to locations where a standard arch could not be constructed due to a vertical constraint underneath. This design of bridge was popular with railroads throughout the United States, as it was durable and easy to construct. Many examples of this design were constructed throughout the Illinois Central system. Overall, the bridge appears to be in poor condition, with significant spalling noted throughout the structure. Extensive areas of both the superstructure and substructure have visible reinforcement steel, and this bridge is likely reaching the end of its useful life. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Build date | Illinois Central Railroad Valuation Engineering Field Notes at the National Archives |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |