CN Neenah Millrace Bridge

View an article discussing the use of cylinder piers by the C&NW (digitalized by Google)

Located at Shattuck Park in Neenah, this deck plate girder bridge carries the former Chicago & North Western Railway mainline over the Neenah Millrace of the Fox River. The first bridge at this location was a single track timber pile trestle, which had been repeatedly renewed since the line was first built. In the late 1900s and early 1910s, the C&NW made significant upgrades to its lines in eastern Wisconsin, replacing timber bridges with steel and concrete structures and constructing a double track where feasible. Bridges across the Neenah Channel, Little Lake Butte Des Morts and the Menasha Channel were replaced in 1910, but for an unknown reason, this bridge was not included as part of the project. In 1911, contracts were awarded to replace this structure with a similar design to the 1910 bridges. Replacement work began in the fall of 1911, and was completed by mid-1912. Currently, the bridge consists of six 46-foot deck plate girder spans, set onto steel cylinder piers and concrete abutments. While the majority of the bridge only was constructed for a single track, the north end was constructed for a turnout and second on the west face to serve a paper mill. The girder spans use a standard design, consisting of two shallow plate girders and an open deck. In addition, the girders have walkways which are supported by steel brackets mounted to the girders. The piers consist of three steel cylinders, which have been filled with concrete. Unlike the three bridges constructed in 1910, a transverse plate girder rests on top of these cylinders, with the superstructure connected to the transverse girder. While most of the bridge was constructed for a single track, both the piers and abutments were constructed so that a second track could easily be added to the west side of the bridge.

American Bridge Company fabricated the superstructure and transverse girders, while John J. O'Heron & Company constructed the cylinder piers and abutments. Deck plate girder spans were commonly used by railroads, as they were durable and easy to construct. The C&NW used steel cylinder piers at several major structures during the early 20th Century, as they provided many benefits compared to stone or concrete piers. When a second track is not yet justified but planned in the future, steel cylinder piers provided the greatest economy, with double track piers costing only slightly more. In addition, this design of pier was particularly adept to be constructed under live traffic without minimal interruption to service, and required no dredging or cofferdams to reach stable ground. Many bridges in the Fox Cities area use a similar design to this bridge, due to the dynamic nature of the Fox River and need for lengthy, permanent structures with no concern for clearance underneath. Since the initial construction, the bridge has seen no significant alterations. Today, the bridge remains in use as a spur to reach a paper mill at the north end of the bridge. 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, as it is a relatively short example of a design commonly seen in the area.