Dubuque Rail Bridge
Bridge in Iowa and East Dubuque, Illinois
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Dubuque Rail Bridge | |
|---|---|
The Dubuque Railroad Bridge. | |
| Coordinates | 42°29′55″N 90°39′01″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 | |
 Interactive map of Dubuque Rail Bridge | |
History
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
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]
