Dubuque Rail Bridge
Dubuque Rail Bridge | |
---|---|
![]() The Dubuque Railroad Bridge. | |
Coordinates | 42°29′55″N 90°39′01″W / 42.49861°N 90.65028°W |
Carries | Single rail track |
Crosses | Mississippi River |
Locale | Dubuque, Iowa and East Dubuque, Illinois |
Maintained by | Canadian National Railway |
Characteristics | |
Design | Truss Bridge with Swing-span |
History | |
Opened | December 1868 |
Location | |
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The Dubuque Rail Bridge carries a single rail line across the Mississippi River between Dubuque, Iowa, and East Dubuque, Illinois, near river mile 580. It is currently operated by Canadian National Railway as a result of their 1999 purchase of Illinois Central Railroad.
History
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Dunleith_%26_Dubuque_Bridge_Co._18xx.jpg/220px-Dunleith_%26_Dubuque_Bridge_Co._18xx.jpg)
The original swing bridge was constructed by Andrew Carnegie and operated by the Dunleith & Dubuque Bridge Company. Going into service in December 1868,[1] it primarily was used by the Illinois Central Railroad. It was rebuilt in the 1890s.
The current Dubuque Rail Bridge has 5 spans and a swing-span. It has been altered somewhat over the years, with last rehabilitation in 2012, but so far has retained the fixed center pier.[2]
Operation
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Dubuque_rail_bridge.jpg/150px-Dubuque_rail_bridge.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Dunleith_and_Dubuque_Bridge_Company_-_System_Index_Map.jpg/220px-Dunleith_and_Dubuque_Bridge_Company_-_System_Index_Map.jpg)
Because of a 150-foot (46 m) bluff very close to the Mississippi riverbank on the Illinois side, about 1/2 mile south of the bridge the approaching railroad track diverges away from the main tracks (and the river) to enter a 1/4-mile tunnel, which then curves about 90-degrees so the bridge track can cross the continuing tracks running adjacent to the river.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Ringwalt, J.L. (1888). "Development of Early Transportation Systems in the United States". Retrieved 2008-08-08.
- ^ "Dubuque Railroad Bridge (Illinois Central Bridge W182)". "Historic Bridges. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
- ^ "Canadian National Railroad Bridge, Dubuque, IA". www.johnweeks.com.
External links
[edit]
- Bridges over the Mississippi River
- Railroad bridges in Iowa
- Railroad bridges in Illinois
- Bridges completed in 1868
- Buildings and structures in Dubuque, Iowa
- Transportation buildings and structures in Jo Daviess County, Illinois
- Canadian National Railway bridges in the United States
- Illinois Central Railroad
- Transportation in Dubuque, Iowa
- Bridges in Dubuque County, Iowa
- 1868 establishments in Iowa
- 1868 establishments in Illinois
- Interstate railroad bridges in the United States
- United States railway bridge stubs
- Illinois bridge (structure) stubs
- Iowa bridge (structure) stubs