Keokuk Rail Bridge

The Keokuk Rail Bridge is a two-level steel structure spanning the Mississippi River between Iowa and Illinois with separate decks for trains and vehicles. It features a swing section that opens for river traffic and an upper platform where visitors can observe Lock and Dam 19.

An earlier bridge was built in 1869, but the current structure dates to 1915 when engineer Ralph Modjeski designed new steel spans using the original foundation piers. This combination of old foundation and new superstructure demonstrates how infrastructure was modernized incrementally.

The bridge links two states and has supported cross-river community exchange for over a century. The two separate levels reflect how designers solved the challenge of accommodating both train and vehicle traffic simultaneously.

Visitors can walk the upper level to observe the lock and dam below while taking in river views. The upper deck is best explored during daylight with clear weather to fully appreciate the surrounding landscape and water features.

The bridge has a swing section that remains open for river traffic until a train approaches. This unusual arrangement shows how water transportation was historically prioritized over rail service in this location.