Recent Nebraska Comments
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I have always been a fan of this bridge since i can remember. I always wondered how did this thing actually work? i know there are sets of wheels to make them turn but, how was it made to turn? was there a person on each side in a box and they would press a button and it would start to turn? if so, how did each of them talk to each to tell them to turn the bridge if needed be? Now since this bridge is no longer working what happens if the open side needs to close how would they go about doing that? Also, I heard from many people that this bridge was struck by lighting many years ago. Finally if it is possible where can i find specs on this bridge meaning, how it was actually moved was it by wires, steam, moved using a hand crank. and could you direct me to a site that has more information on this type of bridge? I would greatly be thankful oh and one last thing, these tracks on the bridge where do they lead to? starting from Omaha to Council bluffs Iowa.
Apparently this one is going to be removed once a new double track bridge opens just upstream. No date set. Still mixed word on the plans...
http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33840
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/attachments/2011/blair_fast-facts.pdf
The vertical struts and upper lateral braces are solid, not laced. The end joint is pinned to the foot. The top chord and end posts are V-laced. None of the diagonals are ties, the are all built-up with battons. The deck is wide. The gussets are fairly big.
So - I would _guess_ 1930's to early 1940's. I would be shocked if it were actually built in 1972!
Well...it was load rated 20 Tons in 1972 so...
NBI gives 1974 build date. Does this look that modern?
The folks I talked with said there are a few people who want it at the city county level.
The SHPO and DOT say not only was the span cut for width it was also cut apart many times for length.
Was supposed to get better photos bht they have not arrived.
Grinnell needs a lil ped bridge by a lake.
All I know. Got some names.
I have seen that construction on a few others bridges, but it is a rare find.
Here is a similar example:
All I know is that I found this bridge a couple of years ago when I was staying at a friend's house in Nebraska. I could not believe my eyes that it was a real bowstring bridge and, as such, I took pictures of it and added it onto this site. The sad thing is that I called the park shortly after that and they said that they plan on replacing this bridge with a MOB. Recently, the SHPO, the guy that determines the historical value of stuff in NE, says that it is not historic, so therefore it gives the park the green light to scrap it. Being a seminary student/missionary with little funds I do not have the resources to get the bridge moved, repaired, or rehabbed and that breaks my heart. All I know to do is to make this post and see if anyone would be willing to take the time and effort to beg the officials at the park to let them have it, and then spend the money it would take to move it somewhere else and get it rehabbed. Anyway, any takers would be appreciated or if anyone would tell me, a guy that is clueless on how to get stuff like historic bridges saved from scrapping, how it would be possible to get the bridge saved. It would be a dream come true for someone like me to be involved in something like that.
The folks I talked with said there are a few people who want it at the city county level.
The SHPO and DOT say not only was the span cut for width it was also cut apart many times for length.
Was supposed to get better photos bht they have not arrived.
Grinnell needs a lil ped bridge by a lake.
All I know. Got some names.
James McCray,
I was on the page for Otoe county as I was adding photos to another bridge.
As to the maker - it's clear to me it's built by King Iron Bridge and Mfg. Company. I got some detailed photos of a bowstring pony truss in Little America rest area in central Illinois. http://bridgehunter.com/il/fulton/bh49863/ The details match.
Mr. King got a patent on his design in 1867, so it would have been built after that. By 1890 or so, not many were being installed.
A lot of historic trusses have to be moved to get them in a park. Here they have one already. Repairing it should be pretty easy.
And Nebraska State Historic and Preservation Office seems to think this 110+ year old bridge isn't historic? That's worse than than anonymous guy who keeps shouting comments about non-historic. Is there a way for any of us to influence them?
I finally got some more of my pictures uploaded. Including the images of the lower end of the hip vertical rod. I have not seen a dual loop like this before.
Also, it doesn't seem to fit the crossing, and the bents supporting the bridge are a lot newer than the bridge. So I suspect it was moved here - but I sure don't know where it came from.
This bridge was closed from June 27 to November 2, 2011, due to the Missouri River flood. Full info from Iowa Dept Transportation here: http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2011/11/iowa-175-between-decatur-neb-and-onawa-iowa-to-be-reopened-tonight-moriver.html
Indeed a unique little span! When I first saw how light it was I assumed it to be much older than 1890's. It may however just been built as an economical structure.
Although National Register Status is certainly no guarantee of survival, you have to hope it at least means there is an element of local awareness. That and the ridiculously low ADT give some chance that it will be retained.
It would be an idea candidate to relocate to a park.
You can also track railroads by using the detailed maps posted here. Go to the page for the particular county and then click "Detail map." The railroad labels shown on these maps are fairly current (well, as of 2005 anyway).
This is a strange little bridge. There are a number of construction details that are rather odd, or at least unusual. Like the upper chord beams - two pieces of angle stock with widely spaced battens. The top batten is pretty ordinary, except it is only long enough for one rivet. But there is another batten underneath that one. It is "U" shaped riveted to the sides about half way between the edges.
Then there are the "X" shaped built up struts.
And the timber stringers.
And a warren truss. With the first diagonals built as tension only.
And the triangular floor beams.
The over-length pin I'm blaming on shoddy maintenance, even though it is unusual.
A fascinating bridge I don't expect will be around much longer...
I'm crushed, Luke! Just kidding. I was about a minute late to get a photo of a diesel electric crossing it. But a steam engine is ever better. My photos can be secondary. *smiles*
Libremap.org has topo maps for a lot of the country free to download. They usually have a railroad name from the time the map was made, usually within the last 30 years.
It's Union Pacific. I usually just Google the city name and railroad to try and see if anyone has railfanned there. Or if the state DOT has railroad routemaps.
I sure hope you don't mind that I've set an image of a UP steamer crossing it as the default.
You are also correct on the date cutouts in the portal being construction dates.
Found this bridge looking at satellite images. I managed to get pretty close by driving to the end of Deer River Rd on the south side of the tracks.
This is a massive bridge - but without something to realize the scale it's hard to tell. The end posts are close to 3ft wide.
This is a double track line that is very busy. I don't know what rail line this is, though. How would I figure out that information?
Only a few miles south of a major road, NE 2, but what a sweet bridge. It seems to be in decent shape too. It has iron or steel floor beams, but the stringers on the main span are timber! The deck is nailed to the stringers - and there were a few too many sticking up too high for me to risk my tires, so I didn't drive over it. The lattice railing is largely intact too. I have a bunch more photos to edit and upload...
From the looks of it this bridge seems to still exist as per google earth, but the image is fuzzy at best. Can I get a status confirmation?
This bridge no longer exists as one can see in the street view.
The appearance is different but the structure type the same, with this example in Michigan: http://www.historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=michigan/day/
Here is another example: http://bridgehunter.com/ks/marshall/irish-creek/
It is listed as being built in 1940. So far, I think it is the only one of its kind that we have discovered outside of Nebraska. Keep in mind that Marshall Co., KS borders Nebraska, so this may indeed be a very localized design.
I agree that the rivets suggest this. It's a standard I-beam not a built up plate, so it's a pony girder(?) not really a beam.
Unusual but a good design for short, lighhtly loaded spans.
Looking at the side of the girder in Photo 9, it appears this structure is a girder and floor beam structure. With two girders running parallel to the road and numerous floor beams running perpendicular. One can see the rivets in the bottom half of the girders that likely connect to the perpendicular floor beams.
This is an interesting little structure, can say I have seen anything like this out here in the Wild West.
What's it like underneath? Are there the two girders parallel to the road and beams perpendicular, or are there a series of beams, all parallel to the road?
Once again I come across this kind of bridge. I have seen only three, including this one, and all in NE. What gives?
Once again.....So, I'm on my way to South Dakota and decide to do a little bridgehunting on my way there through Nebraska, and lo and behold, I find this bowstring truss bridge unexpectedly on my way to find another bridge! There seems to be no mention of it in any historical database, or at least at this point I cannot find any. Anyone, willing to take a stab and give some info that will shed light into this bridge please do so.
Interesting modification noted in photos. Portal bracing on all spans were modified by removing 45 degree gusseting back to truss. No doubt to gain additional clearance for trucks. Also demonstrates how these old structures were over-built, that even after hacking out members the bridge maintains integrity....not so with modern replacement spans. Will this span be kept after new bridge opens..?..perhaps as a pedestrian bridge? Hope so...
I agree with Mr. Goff. Some have argued that a Parker with stiffening struts automatically becomes a Pennsylvania, (In need to relocate the source) but I have never thought of it that way. Of course, I am not a bridge engineer, so I am hoping to hear some other opinions on that matter.
Fmiser,
You are correct in that this truss is a Parker and not a Pennsylvania. I can understand some confusion due to the stiffening struts through the middle to the truss web members.
The data for this bridge state it is a Pennsylvania truss. As I understand, a Pennsylvania would have half-length diagonals and verticals connecting to the lower half of the full-length diagonals. I don't see any. Thus I think these are actually Parker trusses.
So, I'm changing the "Design" to Parker. If I'm wrong, slap me and change it back. :)
This bridge had to be relocated from elsewhere. Anyone with anymore info please comment.
The Bridge is "named" 'J-138.' we might be able to eventually think of a better name. It is quite cute and 'seems' sturdy. It seems more to me like a chord bridge, not a complete arch bridge, becausae it doesn't showcase the 'arc" of a circle. but the little stream is wonderful and the green trees lazily falling about it are great! tHIS BRIDGE WILL DEFINTELY BE ON my outing of bridge fanatics when we gather and go visiting local area bridges. Thank you! :)
A was so afraid that I was going to see an MOB when I clicked on this page...instead I was pleasantly surprised to find an actual historic bridge!
I thought the Pratt Pony Truss bridge on UNL's East Campus was a lot of fun! It seemed strong and sturdy and can hold a load of up to 10 tons. A person can walk across the foot bridge part and be a small load, or drive over it in a car an become a larger load!
It was kind of pretty in it's own way, but not beautiful to look at. However, it is a fun and easily accessible bridge that I would recommend to the avid bridge hunter.
This bridge is listed as a Gage County historical site and is seen clearly in this satellite image.
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=40.27738487684582~-96.7779905484447&lvl=18&dir=0&sty=a&form=LMLTCC
They need to get this rare bridge restored as part of Shrine Park.
Hard to tell for sure James.
Could be one...but if the 1935 date is correct then it is more likely a standard pony on caissons (or lally's for the rest of you!).
Need some confirmation here, but dudes, I think I found a Bedstead pony truss.
Here are different views of the US-30 bridge over the Union Pacific railroad.
Its a shame that they're demolishing it, but from a practical pov, it really did need replaced. 20 feet is just to narrow for today's transportation. It'd have been great if they'd kept the bridge though.
took a look at the county map and the county no longer hold right of way.
No graphic GIS that I can find but if you can give an approximate address this might be a place to start:
http://richardson.assessor.gisworkshop.com/
County road map here to see if county still claims right of way:
http://www.dor.state.ne.us/maps/func-class/state-fc/sfcrich.pdf
Regarding someone taking an interest..first thing to do is establish current ownership. When a road is officially abandoned the property reverts back to private ownership, generally to the adjoining property owners. County records would indicate if this is truly an "abandoned" by the county road. If it is private land, one would have to negotiate with the owners, if it is still county property, then the county can be negotiated with. It can be a daunting task, but you can research county records and actually find data relating to this bridge, the contract let for bids to build this bridge, etc. Its all part of public record.
Need more information on this bridge. It must be really brand new since it does not yet appear on the NBI or is it seen on the street view for google.
Although this bridge is tiny, it is interesting that the old bridge is a wooden bridge. It is in excellent condition also. Any information as to its age, etc. will be helpful.
If someone would take interest in this bridge and have it refurbished, I would be a happy person!
The bridge is a girder and floorbeam system bridge, but its girders are rolled beams (not built-up plate girders). If you were to go underneath the bridge I presume you would see transverse floorbeams. Keep an eye out for more of these bridges, I find them very interesting and they seem to be spread out over a fairly large two state geographic region.
This is the second bridge of this kind I have now come across within a week or so. I am getting freaked out by this. What is going on? What kind of bridge is this??
This is interesting. The bridge is indeed the same design as the bridge found in Kansas http://bridgehunter.com/ks/marshall/irish-creek/. This implies the design is the work of a bridge company rather than a government agency since the design is found in different states. However both bridges give construction dates well after the usual period where bridge companies did design work rather than following state standard plans for bridges.
Nathan, Anthony:
A page for the Nebraska example has been uploaded. It is located in Grand Island, Hall Co., Nebraska.
The two bridges appear to be of the same builder, likely one that was regional to those states as I haven't seen any like it around here.
Robert,
Interesting! Now I am really curious about the one James saw, and where its located which would help determine whether it was the design of a government or a builder. The design strikes me as unusual for a couple reasons. First, of course, the use of hub guard lattice railing mounted on top of the girder. Second, this "girder and floorbeam system" type bridge really isn't a "plate girder" in the traditional sense because its girders are not built-up from plate but are instead rolled beams.
Nathan:
Good catch about that stringer. Here is a nearly identical bridge.
http://bridgehunter.com/ks/marshall/irish-creek/
I actually did not think much of the Kansas example when I discovered it - just thought it was a "low-budget" modern bridge with some recycled parts. Now I am glad that I took a couple pictures of it.
Nice to see some photos of this rare bridge. Photo #25 shows a different but also interesting plate girder bridge with hub guard lattice railing. I am curious if you have additional photos of that bridge and would consider giving that bridge its own page on Bridgehunter. I would be curious to know where its located.
I am revisiting this bridge in a week. Thanks for the comments.
Note however that the tube has been rotated 90° with the channel on the sides.
Note the floorbeam above the eyebar. This is also similar to Springfield. The McIntyre was reversed. So this bowstring shows the evolution from the Springfield with no bracing in the double verticals to the use of the riveted lattice.
Looking more like a King every minute.
The verticals look like cruciform and that lattice bracing reminds me of a King Bridge in the late 1870's. The Springfield Bowstring does not have the lacing but that cross shaped vertical post is all King to me. Did other companies use this form?
Any closeups of the shoes? Closer look, still going WOW.
Thanks for the find James.
I want to go. That is so cool.
Are you planning on going back in the Fall or Winter, after the foliage is gone? This is a truly amazing find!
An excellent find James. It's bridges like this that make hunt worthwhile. I like the name you bestowed on it as well. A fitting tribute to Jimmy.
Rulo bridge made an appearance on Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers a season or two ago as Sean Casey in TIV II (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) followed shortly by Reed Timmer in the Dominator (Reed's TIV or as Casey calls it The Duplicator)had to get into Missouri to make a storm intercept.
IIRC the bridge also appears in the movie Paper Moon.
I am not seeing any double-tubular verticals, so I think we can probably eliminate the Buckeye Bridge Works.
Any bowstring is an excellent find! Occasionally, a very significant bridge reappears years after it is largely forgotten. This is definitely one of them.
Strange as it may seem, a WIBC plate and channel bowstring would be rarer than a WIBC column bowstring. Excellent find!
Looks like it might be a Wrought Iron Bridge Company bridge.
Nice find James!
Looking at the arch configuration, this could possibly be one of the Wrought Iron Bridge Company's "non-tubular" style bowstring. Could also be the product of a more regional firm like the Missouri Valley B&I Works.
Here is probably the most amazing bridge find to date: I am visiting with a friend in Falls City, Ne. I ask him if he knows of any bridges in the area that I could photograph. He tells me that he knew of one that is no longer being used. He told me that he knows of this bridge only because another friend (Jimmy--I named the bridge after him since he is now deceased) of his took him to hunt mushrooms in the area. So we went to look for this bridge. I was expecting maybe an abandoned pratt pony truss or a pratt through truss, however it turned out to be a bowstring truss! The amazing thing is that this bridge is totally forgotten in the fact that it is not listed on any historical database. Therefore, this bridge is truly a hidden jem. Anyone knowing anything about this bridge please leave a comment.
Nebraska appears to be the lead agency for this project, so the failure is theirs that this historic bridge is not being preserved for pedestrian use next to the replacement structure which is so ugly I needed a...
As one can see in the photos a new replacement bridge is being built to eventually replace the existing Rulo Bridge. It is sad knowing that the Rulo Bridge will be demolished. Anyone with a whole lot of money is welcome to save this bridge.
A new railroad bridge is planned at this location but according the Army Corp, the existing historic bridge will NOT be demolished as part of the project. See attached public notice.
View attachment #1 (PDF document, version 1.5, 46291 bytes)
Hi! If any of you would like, I have written the history of this bridge. It is part of a large manuscript dealing with the Omaha District of the Illinois Central. I have a BA in History from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and am also a member of the Illinois Central Historical Society. The IC Archives at the Newberry Library in CHicago are a great resource. Also two article is Railway Gazette appeared in 1902 and 1903 I believe. You can write me at
Mark D. Budka 1950 Washington Street #2, Lincoln, Nebraska 68502. This was a very famous bridge from 1893 to 1908. It was a crown jewel in JAL Waddel's crown of bridges.
I am uncertain about the builder of these bridges - that would make a good research project when time permits. This is the only bridge of its type that I am aware of outside of Kansas.
None of the Kansas examples were considered historically significant when the surveys of truss bridges were conducted in the 1980s and almost all Kansas examples (ie nationwide examples in this case) have been demolished.
Of the four remaining bridges nationwide (that I am aware of), this is the only one that has been listed on the NRHP.
Three examples remain in Kansas and at least one is doomed.
These bridges seem to have been very common in Nebraska and Kansas, these flat, cantilevered Warren trusses that just barely have a couple or few overhead crossbars to qualify as through trusses. Many of them have been lost in the past decade, like the Neosho bridge at Burlington, Kansas, but a few, like this one, remain. Were they designed by the same company? Is there are particular name for this subtype?
my dad recently passed and has worked on the ic bridge for 33 yrs
Is there much information out there on this bridge? I work near the bridge and its railine at the Waterworks in Council Bluffs. It's my understanding that the treatment chemicals were shipped by rail to the water plant on a spur off of the tracks that lead to this bridge. Does anyone know when use of the bridge ended? Did it have two sets of track accross it at one time? Are there any plans for the future of the bridge?
Thanks,
Ben
James,
Did you happen to hear from the city if the plan to replace the bridge will use federal aid funds? Or is the city paying for the whole new bridge itself? If federal funds are involved, someone needs to get the SHPO to do a determination of eligibility (which for a bridge of this caliber should find it eligible), then this would trigger Section 106 and they would have to consider alternatives to demolition.
Given the number of bowstrings preserved for pedestrian use elsewhere the idea that this bridge should be replaced is absurd. The twisted and broken trusses of bridges like this have been dragged out of rivers to be restored for pedestrian use. This bridge is still standing, so relatively speaking preservation would be easy.
I would say that it is likely a King product as well. Otoe County ordered many bridges from KBC in the 1870's and 1880's.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/nediv/bridges/otoe.htm
Hopefully they will rethink the replacement of this span and rehab it instead.
Looks like a King Bridge Co. product to me. Probably from the 1870s or early 1880s.
I discovered this real bowstring pony truss bridge very recently on an obscure website while looking for bridges to hunt in the state of NE. I called Steinhart Park in Nebraska City to inquire about it and they told me that the bridge is still there and I have permission to come and photograph it when I visit NE in July. Unfortunately, they also told me that the bridge is scheduled to be replaced with a newer pedestrian bridge (possibly one of those modern truss pedestrian types) within two years.
Here are a few questions for anyone willing to comment:
From the picture (and park officials) it is a real historic bowstring truss, but they did not know anything about its origins. Does any one have a clue where it was originally from?
Can anyone guess who made it?
Is anyone interested in getting the bridge so it will not be destroyed? I asked the park about the bridge and they have not yet decided on its future after the new bridge is put in place except that it is removed. Here is a link to a news article about the bridge and its future: http://www.ncnewspress.com/topstories/x272792050/City-closes-Steinhart-Park-foot-bridge
I sense a MOB coming...
Craig has a good point......would be worth trying!
Chandra, here is my opinion, if you go to the public info in the HAER database, is it possible you could find an appropriate bridge for your project that has the public info you need, rather then the other way around.
Chandra,
From all that I have seen personally, getting any specific information or Railroad structures is a tall order, as the RR companies are not public domain. Perhaps one of our railroad enthusiasts (James and Ed come to mind), or Nathan might be able to shed some light on it.
Hello,
I am a design student in Chicago, and I'm working on an architecture project involving unused railroad bridges in the United States. This is a purely hypothetical design project, however I still need the bridge's dimensions in order to do well. Does anyone know where I could get this information on this or other unused bridges. Even just an overall height and width would be a great help. It would be amazing to get a look at the original plans, but that may be too tall an order. Thank you in advance for any leads or information you might have.
If you are into these wooden thru arch bridges I believe there is another modern one like this in LaSalle County Illinois NOT currently listed on this website. I drove over it on the way to the Seneca Bridge.
To me, this is an example of a modern bridge that DOES deserve inclusion in this site. In the "about this site" page, the grand webmaster includes reference to newer bridges that use old designs, arches and trusses and such. This bridge is notable for its uniqueness and use of materials. http://bridgehunter.com/help/about
I fully agree that this bridge is very unique and has the potential to become historic sometime in the future. But, having said that, I'm of the mindset that the name of the website is "Historic Bridges of the United States", so I personally would probably not place this bridge on this site, just because of the name. This bridge would be an excellent entry for Landmarkhunter.com, however, because that title is "Historic and NOTABLE landmarks of the US". This bridge is certainly notable, just not historic--yet.:>)
This is a very unique and interesting span to say the least.
Does it belong on Historic Bridges of the U.S. ....well, probably not (technically....at least) but I personally have less of a problem with it being on here than many others that have been added lately. This bridge reminds me of the Tied-Arch spans (Ohio had several of them) of the early 1800's. The retro aspect of this bridge is what gives it appeal......at least in my eyes.
I think that this bridge belongs on this website. Now, if these bridges started appearing by the thousands, then I would consider them to be too common for inclusion, but for now, this appears to be a unique structure.
>>Here is one for debate: This bridge was built in the late 90's so its quite modern. But design wise, it is a wood through arch bridge. So what does everyone think about this one?<<
My thought is that is it has features that are TRULY unique, such as you are describing, then it certainly merits mention. I use that criteria in including modern bascule and vertical lift bridges on the website.
Ferryboats were included on this site long before I became involved; I have authored or added to entries to ferryboats on the website. I understand they are not bridges, but do serve a similar function to bridges. In every case, they have been custom-designed for the particular location. There is no such thing as a "stock" ferryboat. Because of my line of work I have a ready source of information and photos...
However, "slab bridge that replaced something that once was here" does not cut it. (Sheldon, please take note.)
RKT
Lately the debate on bridgehunter has been about posting modern bridges vs. historic/antique ones. Here is one for debate: This bridge was built in the late 90's so its quite modern. But design wise, it is a wood through arch bridge. So what does everyone think about this one?
Well.....I looked closer and I see they are simple battens. This is a very light bridge and looks much older than 1891.
Nice bridge! The portals have what I call King's "X's and O's" design, but the endposts are very light and unique. They look more like 1870's Columbia Bridge Works style with what appear to be spacers or packing blocks.
Here is a beautiful collection of overview and detail photos of this extremely rare and unusual bridge.
I'm seeing conflicting reports on whether this bridge is doomed or not. A new four-lane bridge on US 34 is now under construction to the north, with completion set for 2013. But will this bridge be demolished, or kept for local traffic to Plattsmouth? Quite a bit of money was spent rehabilitating this bridge in 2008.
This historic bridge is currently endangered. The County has plans to demolish it and build a new bridge. Some reports indicate they'll demolish first and build the new bridge on the same alignment, others that they'll leave this one open to traffic during construction on a new alignment then demolish. Either way, it will be a tragedy to lose this bridge.
There is an amazing pair of bridges upstream, the Mormon Bridges. There is also a new marvel, the new South Omaha Bridge downstream. Further downstream is the Bellevue Toll Bridge, a personal favorite of mine because it crosses over a park and you can get amazing pictures of it. It just has a natural shine to the camera.
However this bridge, and it's twin sister the I-480 bridge bring nothing to the table. While I love driving over them (because they really are the easy way to get to Iowa) I am afraid they will crack my lens. :)
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