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| Name | CPKC N. Fork Kent Creek Bridge Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Bridge #E-616 |
| Built By | Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited |
| Superstructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 105 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 5 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Pratt Pony Truss |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1901 |
| Traffic Count | 1 Train/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Bridge Number | E-616 |
| Significance | Moderate Significance |
| Documentation Date | 3/28/2015; 1/20/2024 |
In 1880, the Janesville, Beloit and Rockford Railway (JB&R) constructed 14 miles of new railroad, extending from Janesville, Wisconsin to Beloit, Wisconsin. At Beloit, it intersected with an existing railroad line owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Milwaukee Road). The following year, the Central Illinois and Wisconsin Railway (CI&W) constructed an additional 15 miles to Rockford. The JB&R was sold to the Milwaukee Road in 1882, and the C&IW was leased to the Milwaukee Road the same year. Via trackage rights over the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad between Rockford and Davis Junction, this line connected to the Milwaukee Road mainline from Chicago to Omaha. The C&IW was purchased by the Milwaukee Road in 1900.
By the 20th Century, the Milwaukee Road had become a prominent
railroad in the United States, operating a network of railroad lines
primarily in the Midwest. This line primarily served to connect lines in Wisconsin to the Chicago to Omaha line, as well as serve industries along the Rock River. The Milwaukee Road was often in financial
trouble, especially after the
costly Pacific Extension was completed in 1909. In 1925, the company
declared bankruptcy, and reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul
and Pacific Railroad in 1928. By 1985, a suitor for the
Milwaukee Road was being sought, and the Soo
Line Railroad, controlled by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) purchased the
Milwaukee Road in 1986. In 1997, CP would sell the line
segment to I&M Rail Link, which was later purchased by the Dakota,
Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (DM&E) subsidiary Iowa, Chicago
& Eastern Railroad (IC&E). The
DM&E/IC&E were purchased
by Canadian Pacific in 2008. The CTR
trackage was abandoned in 2018. CP merged with Kansas City Southern
Railway in 2023 to form CPKC. Today, CPKC operates the Rockford Subdivision between Janesville and Rockford, with a connection to Davis Junction.
Located in Rockford, this pony truss span carries the former Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway over the North Fork of Kent Creek. The first bridge at this location was likely a wooden pile trestle, constructed when the line was constructed. In 1900, new concrete abutments would be constructed, and in 1901 the current span would be installed. The bridge consists of a standard 105-foot, 6-panel, pin-connected Pratt pony truss span, set onto concrete substructures. The superstructure was fabricated by an unknown contractor, while the substructures were constructed by railroad forces. Typical of Milwaukee Road pony truss spans, the bridge consists of built-up lower and upper chords, solid beam compression members, bars for the tension members and an extensive use of gusset plates. In addition, the counter members utilize a turnbuckle, which allowed the members to be tightened. These types of spans were standard for the Milwaukee Road, and were designed under the direction of C.F. Loweth, Chief Engineer of the Milwaukee Road. Numerous examples of this design between 95 feet and 130 feet long were constructed throughout the Milwaukee Road system. These spans were popular, as they were strong, durable and easy to construct. Since the initial construction, it appears the bridge has been altered little, if any. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Build date | Milwaukee Road Archives - Industrial Department Records - located at the Milwaukee Public Library |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |