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| Name | UP Parkside Drive Bridge Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge #114 |
| Built By | Chicago & North Western Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Union Pacific Railroad |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 16 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track (47 Feet) |
| Height Above Ground | 10 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Stone Arch |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry |
| Date Built | 1903 |
| Traffic Count | 1 Train/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge Number | 114 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 6/14/2014; 6/24/2018 |
Prior to 1880, Janesville, Wisconsin was the terminus of two Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW) mainlines, one of which extended southeast to Chicago, and another which extended north towards Green Bay. An additional C&NW line served Beloit, Wisconsin; Afton, Wisconsin and Evansville, Wisconsin, but did not directly connect to the two mainlines serving Janesville. In 1880, the Rock River Railway (RR) constructed a 6 mile branch line from the existing C&NW line at Afton into Janesville. The company was funded by the C&NW, and labor for the construction was provided by the C&NW. In 1883, the RR would be fully absorbed by the C&NW. In 1886, the Janesville and Evansville Railway (J&E) constructed 16 miles between the existing C&NW mainline at Janesville to meet the existing C&NW mainline at Evansville. Similar to the RR, the C&NW provided the funding and labor for construction, and the J&E was purchased by the C&NW in 1887. This route provided a connection into Janesville, and served as an industrial loop.
By the 1920s, the C&NW was operating an expansive railroad network throughout the Midwest, radiating north and west from Chicago. The railroad had become one of the premiere Midwest railroads, and handled a wide variety of commodities and passengers. The northern portion of this line became a heavily used mainline, mainly serving traffic between Chicago and the Twin Cities. The segment between the south side of Janesville and Afton was abandoned in 1975, and purchased by the City of Janesville for trail use. In 1995, the C&NW was purchased by Union Pacific Railroad (UP). Today, UP continues to operate the Janesville to Evansville segment as the northern portion of the Harvard Subdivision. A short segment in Janesville is used by the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) to access an industry on the south side of Janesville. A large portion of the line between Janesville and Afton has been reused as part of the Peace Trail.
Located on the north side of Janesville, this stone arch bridge carries a former Chicago & North Western Railway line over Parkside Drive. The first bridge at this location was likely a timber pile trestle, constructed when the line was first built. In the late 1890s and early 1900s, the C&NW invested significant capital into this line, replacing timber bridges with stone and steel structures. In 1903, the present stone arch bridge was constructed at this location. Currently, the bridge consists of an 16-foot stone arch, set onto stone substructures and constructed at a width of 47 feet. The structure uses a standard design, with a semicircumar arch and wing walls extending at a 45-degree angle from the structure. Sandstone for the bridge was quarried at Ablemans (Rock Springs), Wisconsin, and it is unknown if the bridge was constructed by railroad company forces or by an unknown contractor. Stone arches were popular with railroads in the 19th Century, as they were durable and easy to construct. The C&NW continued using the design into the 20th Century, due to the company owning quarries and being able to source high quality stone. Since the initial construction, the bridge seen no significant alterations, and remains in use. 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
| Build date | Chicago & North Western Valuation Notes at the Chicago & North Western Historical Society Archives |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |