## DOT plans to explode old railroad bridge
The state Department of Transportation is blowing up another bridge.
Well, at least the remaining concrete piers that once supported the Sakonnet River Railroad Bridge, which featured a span that could swing in and out along a central axis to allow boats to pass up and down the river.
For full story in the Providence Journal (Rhode Island), see:
http://www.projo.com/news/content/DOT_SAKONNET_BRIDGE_02-07-07_FJ4AAUP.1b16c0d.html
Are there pictures of that bridge? It´s sad news to me, because I love railroad bridges.[:(]
Now, there’s a sight I’d like to see! [D)] Yes, I know…[#dots][%-)][B)] and[banghead].
I noticed in the story that they mentioned taking down the “Old Jamestown Bridge” last summer and fall. Was that the bridge that was replaced and closed in maybe 1991 or 1992? I recall that in 1999 the Coast Guard was getting on the state’s case for not taking that bridge down like they were supposed to. Sounds like things move real fast in RI.
Checked Google™ Earth after the initial post, and their (probably) two-year-old image confirms that the old bridge was still there next to the new, wider one that doesn’t have that roller-coaster hill climb to the center. I guess 14 years to get around taking down a dead bridge isn’t too bad. Also, there was a good view of the topic’s swing bridge from space, left in the ‘open’ position.
Didn’t they use dynamite to blow the center span of the ex-MILW bridge at Praire du Sac out of place, so they couldn’t use it (it was too dangerous)?
Phil
the loss of a bridge always saddens me. memories of Gordon, Wisconsin…[V]
stupid Burlington Northern…
BN had a line through Gordon? I thought that was C&NW and WC territory.[%-)]
BN was the reason the bridge no longer exists. because they HAD to get those haulage rights. even though they didnt need them. the loss of the potash train from CN forced CNW to abandon that line. then WC swapped their line north of gordon with CNW’s. the bridge and both tracks in that area were lost [V]
Looking at UTU.org, I see “The rest of the story”
http://www.utu.org/worksite/detail_news.cfm?ArticleID=33554
That’s two thumbs up for being seal conscious. [tup] [tup]
Thanks for sharing that, spokyone. What a nice ending.
If you like old bridges, and who doesn’t, check out this website which I just discovered the other day:
This one is interesting too
http://www.historicbridgefoundation.com/
Dave Nelson
i’ve seen so many great bridges go. several weren’t railroad bridges. i’ve already mentioned the tragedy in Gordon because of BN’s wrath. but there are so many others
if any of you live in or near Hudon, Wisconsin, you might remember the bridge across the St Croix river used to be a really neat-looking sky blue truss bridge. it was sadly removed in the late 90s. and then there’s the truss bridge in Durand, Wisconsin, also not a railroad bridge, but still very cool to see. it’s gone now
but what’s really worrying me now is the “Shaw Town Bridge” in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. the bridge crosses the Chippewa River and was part of the spur line once owned and used by CNW and maybe UP for a while until the nestle plant stopped shipping by rail for whatever reason (anyone who knows more about this, please tell me).
i’ve been scoping out that spur quite a bit and found all the crossings have been dug up and paved over and the track is completely gone too. the shaw town bridge is pretty much the only part of the spur left with rails on it. i fear UP may have the bridge torn down and the scrap sold off. it’s such a cool-looking trestle to see. i took this picture about a year ago of it:
