BNSF Kickapoo Creek Bridge #9

Located near Bellevue, this through truss bridge is the ninth and southernmost bridge carrying the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad over Kickapoo Creek. At one time, three bridges crossed Kickapoo Creek at this location, including the Chicago & North Western Railway to the east and the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway to the west. Prior to the 1980s, Kickapoo Creek was crossed by a number of truss bridges of varying designs and histories. However, by the early 1980s, many of these spans had become too light for traffic, and were replaced by modern through girder bridges. Only this bridge, the third and the fourth crossings use truss spans today. The previous bridge at this location likely consisted of an iron truss span, constructed in 1886 on stone substructures. By the early 20th Century, this bridge had become too light for traffic, and would be replaced by the current bridge.

Currently, the bridge consists of a 148-foot, 7-panel, riveted Pratt through truss span, set onto stone and concrete substructures and approached by a timber pile trestle approach on the north end. The stone substructures were reconstructed with concrete and the bridge raised upon construction. Pennsylvania Steel Company fabricated the superstructure, while an unknown contractor constructed the original stone substructures. It is believed that railroad company forces completed the concrete modifications to these substructures. The truss span is heavily constructed, using massive built-up members, a heavily constructed floor and a traditional CB&Q style shallow lattice portal. Numerous examples of similar spans were constructed for the CB&Q throughout the Midwest. Pratt trusses were the standard railroad truss bridge design in the late 19th Century, as they were durable, economical and simple. However, by the 20th Century, this design was largely superseded by riveted Warren trusses. The CB&Q continued to construct Pratt trusses into the 1910s, often using riveted connections and heavier members compared to earlier examples of this design. Since the initial construction, the bridge has seen few changes, and has only required minor repairs. 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.