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| Name | CN Old McLaughlin Road Bridge Illinois Central Railroad Bridge #D-180.0 |
| Built By | Illinois Central Railroad |
| Currently Owned By | Canadian National Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 14 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track (36 Feet) |
| Height Above Ground | 15 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Concrete Arch |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1905 |
| Traffic Count | 20 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Illinois Central Railroad Bridge Number | D-180.0 |
| Canadian National Railway Bridge Number | 180.0 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 2/17/2024 |
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 along Illinois Route 54 southwest of Buffalo Hart, this concrete arch bridge carries the former Illinois Central Railroad over an old alignment of McLaughlin Road. The first bridge at this location was likely a timber pile trestle. In 1905, the IC made a number of improvements at Buffalo Hart, including the construction of two concrete arch structures at this location. The bridge consists of a standard 14-foot semicircular concrete arch, set onto concrete substructures and constructed at a width of 36 feet. The bridge utilizes a number of features which deviate from the standard IC design. The northeast and northwest wing walls both use a standard design, which extends diagonally from the structure and has a flat top. The southeast and southwest wing walls both use a stepped design, which are perpendicular to the structure. The use of different designs was likely done due to the close proximity of the smaller arch at this location. It is currently unknown what contractor completed this structure. Concrete arches were popular for railroad use, as they were 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 | Illinois Central Gulf Illinois Division 1978 Track Profile |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |