Bridgehunter.com | RI - I&M Canal Swing Bridge

Photos

Photo taken by Steve Conro in October 2011

BH Photo #218349

Map

Map Links

Description

This bridge was built by the Manufactures Bridge Company in 1887. A local concern that charged $1.00 per rail car to cross the bridge. (from info sign at site)

Facts

Overview: Pony Plate Girder Swing bridge over I&M Canal on abandoned railroad in Marseilles
Location: Marseilles, LaSalle County, Illinois
Status: Derelict/abandoned
History: Swing Bridge built in 1887 to move rail cars across I&M Canal
Builder: - Manufactures Bridge Co.
Railroad: - Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (CRIP (1866-1920); RI (1920-1975) ROCK (1975-1980))
Design: Pony Plate Girder swing bridge was operated by hand with a crank gear system in the center
Dimensions: Length of largest span: 65.0 ft.
Total length: 130.0 ft.
Approximate latitude, longitude: +41.32853, -88.71184 (decimal degrees)
41°19'43" N, 88°42'43" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates: 16/356745/4576641 (zone/easting/northing)
Quadrangle map:: Marseilles
Inventory number: BH 49890 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

Update Log

July 13, 2015: New photos from John Marvig
June 26, 2015: Updated by John Marvig: Added information
August 9, 2012: Updated by Daniel Hopkins: Added category "Railroad"
October 24, 2011: Added by Steve Conro

Sources

Steve Conro - sconro [at] yahoo [dot] com
Douglas Butler
John Marvig - marvigj27 [at] gmail [dot] com

Comments

I & M Canal Swing Bridge

Posted November 10, 2011, by David Eike (eikes [at] sbcglobal [dot] net)

There was a renewed effort 4 years ago to get this bridge back into an operating condition. Not sure where that idea went, but probably died for lack of money. Here are a collection of stories (beginning in 2004) on the bridge and the project:

http://mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=161543

http://mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=164542

http://mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=300439

There was also an opinion piece (id=162478), but I'm limited to 3 URL postings per comment.

I & M Canal Swing Bridge

Posted October 24, 2011, by Gary Sprandel (jaidite [at] aol [dot] com)

That's the old spur off the Rock Island that served the National Biscuit plant just south of your location there.

There is also a pony truss bridge over the north mill race and two flat deck bridges that served both rail and truck over the south mill race on the south side of the building.

There were several industries served by rail between that location and the river.

RI - I&M Canal Swing Bridge