BNSF Quincy Bay Bridge

View an article discussing the 1960 construction of this bridge

Since the early 1850s, Quincy had been an important railroad town, located along the Mississippi River. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) operated a line into Quincy; and across the Mississippi River, the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad operated a line to Kansas City, Missouri. During the 1860s, the two railroads desired to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River, connecting the two systems. In 1866, the crossing was approved by the United States Congress, and the Quincy Bridge Company was incorporated to oversee the work. The crossing would be comprised of two main structures, including a large bridge across the main channel, and a smaller structure across Upper Quincy Bay. The bridges were designed by Thomas C. Clarke, and fabricated by the Detroit Bridge & Iron Works. The railroad company provided the labor for construction of the substructures. Both structures would utilize swing spans to accommodate riverboat traffic, and were completed in 1868. The two bridges were initially connected by a wooden trestle, which was filled during the early years of the structure.

The first bridge across Quincy Bay consisted of a 190-foot Bollman deck truss bridge, approached by two 84-foot Bollman deck truss spans on either end. This bridge was replaced with a new bridge in 1886. By the late 1890s, it became prudent to replace the original main bridge, and as part of the improvements, a new line was constructed to serve terminals along the river in Quincy. The new line utilized a swing bridge across Lower Quincy Bay, located near Broadway Street. This bridge consisted of a 350-foot, pin-connected Pratt deck truss swing span, approached by 10 deck plate girder spans, which formed a large viaduct. This bridge was fabricated by the Union Bridge Company, and opened in 1899. The bridge was removed in the early 1950s, as it was no longer necessary and expensive to maintain.

In 1960, the CB&Q constructed a new cutoff, which included a new bridge across the Mississippi River. A new bridge across Quincy Bay was constructed north of the original bridge, and consisted of five 105-foot deck plate girders and two 95-foot deck plate girders. After completion of the new structure, the old bridge was removed, and the Upper Quincy Bay used for tourist trains, before being converted to roadway use. Some substructures of the Lower Quincy Bridge remain, and a structure has been built upon one of the piers. Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with no significant deterioration noted. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design and newer age.