BNSF Buffalo Creek Bridge (Polo)

Name	BNSF Buffalo Creek Bridge (Polo) Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Bridge #112.68
Built By	Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Currently Owned By	BNSF Railway
Length	33 Feet Total
Width	1 Track
Height Above Ground	15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Design	Concrete Arch
Substructure Design	Concrete
Date Built	1914
Traffic Count	20 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status	In Use
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Bridge Number	112.68
BNSF Railway Bridge Number	112.68
Significance	Local Significance
Documentation Date	3/19/2023

In 1868, the Ogle and Carroll County Railroad (O&CC) began construction on 16 miles of new railroad, extending from Rochelle to Oregon, Illinois. In early 1869, the Chicago and Iowa Railroad Company (C&I) began construction on a 45-mile section of new railroad to connect Aurora, Illinois with the line at Rochelle. The O&CC merged into the C&I in 1871. The Aurora to Rochelle segment would be completed in 1871, and the portion to Oregon completed in 1873. At Aurora, the railroad connected to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad mainline. The CB&Q had begun to construct and acquire a large network of railroads through the Midwest. Because the CB&Q was affiliated with the railroads owned by James J. Hill in Minnesota, a connection between the two systems was desired. Between 1883 and 1886, the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad (CB&N) constructed 330 miles of new railroad, extending from Oregon, Illinois to Savanna, Illinois; then north along the Mississippi River through La Crosse, Wisconsin; to St. Paul, Minnesota. The CB&N and C&I would both be sold to the CB&Q in 1899. By the early 20th Century, traffic had significantly increased on the northern portion of the line. Double tracking projects were begun in 1910, with the entirety of the Savanna to La Crosse line double tracked by 1916. North of La Crosse, short sections were double tracked in the 1910s, but the majority was constructed between 1927 and 1929. This route served as a principal mainline for the CB&Q, providing a connection to the transcontinental lines of the Northern Pacific Railway and Great Northern Railway. In 1970, the CB&Q was merged with the Northern Pacific Railway and the Great Northern Railway to form Burlington Northern Railroad (BN). In 1996, BN merged with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway to form BNSF Railway. BNSF currently operates the Aurora Subdivision between Aurora and La Crosse, and the St. Croix Subdivision between La Crosse and St. Paul. The line continues to serve as a critical mainline for BNSF, and makes up a portion of the northern BNSF transcontinental route.

Located on the west side of Polo, this concrete arch bridge carries the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad over Buffalo Creek. The first bridge at this location was likely a timber pile trestle. In 1914, the bridge would be reconstructed with a 33-foot concrete arch span, set onto concrete substructures. The superstructure of the bridge utilizes a closed spandrel design, and it appears that the arch line was constructed separately from the spandrel walls. The bridge is heavily reinforced, typical of bridges from this era. It is believed that the bridge was constructed by railroad forces, and the design was likely completed by the Engineering Department of the CB&Q. Concrete arch spans became popular with railroads in the 20th Century, as the design was durable, economical and could be used to replace bridges with minimal interruption to traffic. A number of similar arches were built along this line between 1913 and 1915. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with some cracking and spalling noted throughout the structure. The author has ranked this bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design and newer age.

Build date	Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Valuation Summary at the Newberry Library
Railroad History Citation	ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele

BNSF Buffalo Creek Bridge (Polo)

Polo, Ogle County, Illinois