Century-Old Railroad Crossing Replaced

In this article the author discusses the replacement of the Kate Shelley High Bridge in Iowa, giving historical context for the bridge’s significance as well as detailing the construction of the new bridge. The old bridge was completed in 1902, connecting two sides of the Des Moines River Valley west of Boone. The bridge is still used for transcontinental rail traffic along that corridor, although the age of the bridge and the heavy loads trains now bear necessitate only allowing for one passage per day. The new bridge will be supported by cast-in-place concrete columns instead of the steel towers of the old bridge. The bridge’s location is complicated by the high variance in water conditions in the valley shifting from 2 feet to as much as 25 feet. Upon the completion of the new bridge, the old bridge will be retired from service yet remain intact for historical reasons.