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Louisiana Railroad Bridge

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Louisiana Railroad Bridge
Coordinates39°26′43″N 91°02′01″W / 39.44528°N 91.03361°W / 39.44528; -91.03361
CarriesSingle track rail line
CrossesMississippi River
LocaleLouisiana, Missouri and Illinois
Characteristics
DesignTruss bridge
History
Opened1873
Location
Map

The Louisiana Railroad Bridge carries a single track rail line across the Mississippi River between Louisiana, Missouri and Pike County, Illinois, United States. Built by the Chicago and Alton Railroad, the structure is currently owned by the Canadian Pacific Kansas City following a series of sales and consolidation in the railroad industry.

History

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A predecessor of this bridge was opened for service in 1873[1] as one of the first 15 bridges across the Mississippi River.[2] The current structure opened to traffic in 1898, having been fully reconstructed on the original piers from the 1873 bridge. When it opened, the 444-foot swing span was the longest swing span in the nation.[2]

Appearance

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The bridge's distinctive appearance is derived from the variety of truss types installed as different spans were replaced over time.[3] The most recent span replacement occurred in 1945, when three new spans were installed.

In its closed position, the bridge provides a vertical clearance of 15.8 feet above the normal pool for this section of the Mississippi River.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kansas City Southern Railway Mississippi River Bridge (Louisiana, 1873)". Structurae. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Louisiana Rail Bridge, Louisiana, MO". www.johnweeks.com. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "Louisiana Railroad Bridge - HistoricBridges.org". historicbridges.org. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "Drawbridge Operating Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Louisiana, Missouri". Federal Register. January 27, 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
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