UP Sand Creek Bridge

Merriam Junction, Scott County, Minnesota

Default pic
Overview
Overview
Overview
North abutment
Bearing
Connection details
Under bridge
North abutment
Missing plaque
Bearing
Looking south
Looking south
Looking north
Looking north
Floor details
South abutment
Overview
North abutment
Overview
Main span

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Default Pic
Overview
Overview
Overview
North abutment
Bearing
Connection details
Under bridge
North abutment
Missing plaque
Bearing
Looking south
Looking south
Looking north
Looking north
Floor details
South abutment
Overview
North abutment
Overview
Main span
1/21
Date Taken:
Author:
Caption:
Name UP Sand Creek Bridge
Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge #179
Built By Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway
Currently Owned By Union Pacific Railroad
Superstructure Contractor Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company of North Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Substructure Contractor Unknown
Length 80 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 10 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1916
Traffic Count 5 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status Open to Traffic
C&NW Bridge Number 179
UP Bridge Number 36.33
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date 11/21/2012
In 1865, the Minnesota Valley Railway Company began construction on a new railroad line between Mendota, Minnesota and St. James, Minnesota. The first 22 miles would be completed between Mendota and Merriam Junction in 1865, followed by 17 more miles to Belle Plaine in 1866, 16 additional miles to Le Sueur in 1867, 12 additional miles to Kasota in 1868, and 22 additional miles to Lake Crystal, Minnesota in 1869. Also in 1869, the Minnesota Valley would complete 5 additional miles from Mendota to St. Paul. In 1870, the Minnesota Valley would be purchased by the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad (StP&SC). 22 additional miles to St. James would be completed in 1870. The StP&SC completed 58 more miles from St. James to Worthington, Minnesota in 1871; and 64 additional miles to Le Mars, Iowa were completed in 1872. At Le Mars, the route connected to an existing railroad, over which the StP&SC used trackage rights to reach Sioux City.
In 1881, the StP&SC would be sold to the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway (CStPM&O), also known as the Omaha Road. The Omaha Road would come under control of the Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW) the next year. This route became the main line of the Western District of the Omaha Road. The Omaha Road would formally be merged into the C&NW in 1959. The C&NW would be purchased by the Union Pacific in 1995, which still operates the St. Paul to St. James segment as the Mankato Subdivision. The line continues to carry steady traffic.

Located between Merriam Junction and Jordan, this through plate girder bridge crosses Sand Creek. Built in 1916 to replace an older bridge of unknown design, the bridge features a single through plate girder span, set onto concrete substructures. The girder span is traditionally designed, with straight ends and an open deck. This design of bridge was commonly used by railroads throughout the United States, as it was 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 the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.

Citations

Builder and build date Bridge drawings at Chicago & North Western Historical Society Archives
Railroad History Citation ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele