BNSF US-30 Bridge (Fulton)

Located east of Fulton, this large deck plate girder bridge carries the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad across US Route 30 and Spring Brook. Initially constructed in 1904, the bridge originally consisted of three 80-foot, one 60-foot and one 24-foot deck plate girder span, in addition to a 16-foot steel stringer span and timber pile trestle approaches. The original structure utilized three concrete piers, with the remaining substructures constructed of timber piles. Railroads often used timber spans and substructures to minimize impacts of settlement of approach embankments. By using these spans, the railroads could be sure that the embankment was fully settled before constructing more expensive substructures. In 1948, two additional concrete piers were constructed. In approximately 1990, the 24-foot, 16-foot and timber pile trestle spans were replaced by new modular concrete girder spans, giving the bridge its current configuration.

Currently, the bridge consists of three 80-foot and one 60-foot deck plate girder spans, set onto concrete piers. These spans are approached by a single modular concrete girder span on either side, which is supported by steel pile abutments. Due to the location of the bridge, it is set onto a slight curve. The deck plate girder spans appear to be standard CB&Q spans, with a heavy construction and an open deck. An unknown contractor fabricated the deck plate girder spans, and it is believed that railroad company forces constructed all concrete piers. Deck girder spans were popular for railroad use, as they were durable and easy to construct. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.