Re: [CBQ] Interesting Discovery

[STEVEN HOLDING <sholding@sbcglobal.net>]

All bridges on the Illinois River between La Salle/Peru and Joliet had to be rebuilt when the Illinois River was channelized in the early 30's.  Both the Q bridges at La Salle and Ottawa were rebuilt with the towers to lift the span which is now moveable but had been non-movable.  The Q had a 125 foot thru girder  swing span over the I&M Canal which carried the Q Main over the canal until it was filled(?) in the early 30 with the canal having been replaced by the now navigable river.  All the highway bridges also had to be replaced and the old Hillard bridge which carried the highway across in down town Ottawa was rebuilt in the 70's  and some of the truss was saved and on display in the city park below the new highway bridge.
Too bad some of the old BN bridge can now be saved. 
Steve in SC

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From: Michael Matalis <mmatalis@sprynet.com>
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, December 25, 2011 10:53:17 AM
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Interesting Discovery

 

Speaking of CB&Q river bridges, as my Christmas present to myself I picked up "The Lost Panoramas", a book of photos taken by the Chicago Sanitary District during the construction of the sanitary canal, as well as downstream afterwards often in conjunction with lawsuits by various towns and people who were less than thrilled with Chicago gifting them with a river full of sewage. One of the panoramas is a 1911 view of the north end of the Q bridge over the Illinois River at Morris. Unfortunately the lift span is out of sight stage left, but the view is interesting in that there are at least three approach spans (there are only two now) and the river front is basically a huge empty flood plane rather than all built up like it is nowadays.  According to the caption the bridge was built in 1898 and rebuilt in 1932 with a new lift span due to increased river traffic.  Here's a link to a modern day view: http://www.johnweeks.com/river_illinois/pages/illC06.html

There's only a couple railroad shots in the book, but still it's a pretty cool view of a massive and controversial even in its time engineering project.

  

Thank you kindly,

Michael Matalis

Downers Grove IL

You can see my railroad photography blog at http://www.chasingheavymetal.com/blog/

You can see my photos and my ugly mug at http://www.flickr.com/photos/prairierailfan/sets/

On Dec 25, 2011, at 9:29 AM, Dave Lotz wrote:

Hi All,

 

A week or so ago, Bill Ewinger sent me some images that Gary Seifken had sent him.  They are photos of a remaining portion of the ORIGINAL 1868 CB&Q Mississippi River bridge at Burlington!!!  It is said to have been floated upriver, shortened, and placed in its current position in 1891.  I’ve compared it to the images I have of the original bridge and it is a match.  Here is the link for all to view: http://www.johnweeks.com/river_mississippi/pagesB/umissBR14.html

 

Dave

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