Historic Bridges of the U.S. | West Beaver Creek Lincoln Highway Bridge

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Photos

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Welcome To The Four Bridges of Grand Junction

This is the west portal of the bridge that carries the second generation of the Lincoln Highway across Beaver Creek. At this location, you will find four generations of transcontinental transportation history: A bridge that carries the C&NW RR (Now UPRR) link of the transcontinental railroad, the first Lincoln Highway, the second Lincoln Highway (later US 30) and modern US 30.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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The south face

The second generation of the Lincoln Highway was moved south of the C&NW tracks to eliminate two grade crossings. Many lives were lost when express trains clobbered automobiles at unprotected grade crossings. Elimination of grade crossings was a highway design priority.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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The north face

This Lincoln Highway became US 30 in most of Iowa in 1926. Named highways were banned as today's familiar highway numbering system was put into place.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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The troll took the day off

I was there on Sunday, and the troll that lives under the bridge took the day off. His office chair awaits his return on Monday.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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Modern US 30

Just yards to the south, modern US 30 crosses Beaver Creek just before it bypasses Grand Junction.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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UPRR Bridge over Beaver Creek

Built by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, this bridge carries the Chicago to Omaha link of the first transcontinental railroad. To the north of this bridge, you can see the 1915 Lincoln Highway bridge.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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The 1915 Lincoln Highway Bridge across Beaver Creek

Today, this bridge sits all alone between two farm fields.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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The Ornate Balustrades

Towns were proud to be on the transcontinental highway and ornate bridges was one way of demonstrating that pride. The wing walls were even inscribed with a letter L.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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The deck and north railing

Bob & Joyce Ausberger, of the Lincoln Highway Association, bought this bridge in order to prevent its destruction.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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Looking West

The 1915 alignment of the Lincoln Highway followed the C&NW tracks on the north side, into Grand Junction. The bridge in the distance carries modern US 30 over old US 30 as it bypasses Grand Junction to the north.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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The west portal of the 1915 bridge

The red, white and blue circles on the telephone pole comprise the old LH logos. Before highway signs, color key bands were painted on poles to show motorists the way. The logo is a red band, a wide white band with a blue "L" and a blue band to identify that the Lincoln Highway crosses this bridge.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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The north face

This bridge is in remarkably good condition for being over 90 years old with little or no maintenance.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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The Four Bridges

From the deck of the 1915 bridge looking south, the UPRR, old US 30, and modern US 30.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

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Interpretive Site Under Development

Due to the historic nature of this area, the Grand Junction Lions Club donated this land to become a Lincoln Highway Interpretive Historical Site.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2007

Map

Vicinity Map

Vicinity map

Map links:

Facts

Overview: Concrete bridge over West Beaver Creek on a local road
Location: Greene County, Iowa
Status: Open to traffic
History: Built 1921
Design: Other
Dimensions: Length of largest span: 24.0 ft.
Total length: 25.9 ft.
Deck width: 24.3 ft.
Recognition: Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Approximate latitude, longitude: +42.03298, -94.21112 (decimal degrees)
42°01'59" N, 94°12'40" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Land survey: T. 83 N., R. 29 W., Sec. 03
Inventory numbers: IA 162070 (Iowa bridge number)
BH 13542 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Inspection (as of 06/2004): Deck condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)
Superstructure condition rating: Good (7 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Good (7 out of 9)
Appraisal: Structurally deficient
Sufficiency rating: 82.7 (out of 100)
Average daily traffic (as of 2004): 510

Update Log

March 30, 2008: Updated by J.R. Manning: Added Bridge to "Lincoln Highway" Category
March 5, 2008: Updated by J.R. Manning
January 27, 2008: New photos from J.R. Manning

Sources

J.R. Manning - thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net

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Comments

West Beaver Creek Bridge

Posted January 27, 2008, by J.R. Manning (thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net)

For more about the bridges and the history of this area, see the Lincoln Highway Association Iowa Chapter website:

http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/iowa/iowa/greeneCo/gjunction.html