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| Name | KJRY Kickapoo Creek Bridge |
| Built By | Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Keokuk Junction Railway |
| Superstructure Contractor | American Bridge Company of New York |
| Substructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 154 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 5 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Subdivided Warren Through Truss |
| Substructure Design | Concrete |
| Date Built | 1939 |
| Traffic Count | 2 Trains/Day (Estimated) |
| Current Status | In Use |
| Significance | Moderate Significance |
| Documentation Date | 4/7/2017 |
In 1857, the Rock Island and Peoria Rail Road Company (RI&P) would construct 12 miles of new railroad, extending from Rock Island, Illinois to Coal Valley, Illinois. In 1870, the R&IP became part of the Peoria and Rock Island Railway (P&RI). In 1872, the P&RI would construct an additional 77 miles to Peoria, Illinois. The railroad would go bankrupt in 1877, and would become part of the larger Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway (Rock Island) system. The railroad was formally merged into the Rock Island in 1903. The Rock Island constructed and acquired a large network of
railroads, primarily in Iowa during the late 1880s. This line served as a branch line and a secondary route into Peoria for the Rock Island.
The Rock Island was a poor railroad, facing financial trouble regularly and often in bankruptcy. After World War II, the Rock Island struggled to survive, proposing mergers and deferring maintenance on their routes. The Orion Junction to Milan section of the railroad was abandoned in 1941, followed by the Alta to Toulon segment in 1963. By 1964, the Rock Island began attempts to merge with Union Pacific. This merger was eventually denied, and Rock Island turned its last profit in 1965. Further portions of the line were abandoned in 1973, when the portion between Toulon and Lafayette was abandoned. In the mid-1970s, the railroad was in serious decline. The railroad received loans to attempt to fix slow orders, received new equipment and turn a profit. By 1978, the railroad came close to profit, but creditors were lobbying for a complete shutdown of the Rock Island. During the fall of 1979, a strike crippled the railroad, and by January of 1980, the entire system was ordered to be shut down and liquidated. Profitable sections of railroad were prepared for sale. The Lafayette to Orion Junction segment would be abandoned, and the remaining line from Rock Island to Milan sold to the Iowa Interstate Trailroad (IAIS). Today, IAIS continues to operate the short segment near Milan. A portion of the line from Toulon to Peoria is now part of the Rock Island State Trail.
Located in Bartonville, this large through truss bridge carries the former Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway over Kickapoo Creek near Interstate 474. The previous bridge at this location was a lighter through truss bridge with a lengthy east approach, constructed in the 19th Century. In 1939, the bridge would be reconstructed with the present heavy truss bridge. Currently, the bridge consists of a 154-foot, 6-panel, riveted subdivided Warren through truss span, set onto concrete abutments. American Bridge Company fabricated the truss span, while an unknown contractor constructed the abutments. The truss span features a typical Rock Island design, including extremely heavy solid members, a traditionally composed floor and a portal bracing consisting of two X-frame bays. The Rock Island used this type of span extensively during the late 1930s and early 1940s, as the design was exceptionally strong, simple and easy to construct. Subdivided Warren designs provided a greater strength than a traditional Warren span, while only requiring slightly more material. Since the initial construction, the bridge has seen few if any alterations, and retains great historical integrity. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design and newer age.
Citations
| Builder and build date | American Bridge Company plaque |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |