Blair Bridge, Railroad bridge across Missouri River between Blair, Nebraska and Iowa, United States.
Blair Bridge is a railroad crossing that spans the Missouri River between Blair, Nebraska and Iowa. The structure uses three steel truss sections resting on stone piers, extending across the river with a main span of about 330 feet (100 meters).
The original structure was built in 1883 by the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad Company, replacing a ferry service that transported train cars across the river. This new bridge allowed faster and more reliable rail traffic between the regions.
The bridge connects two states and has long served as a symbol of economic partnership between Nebraska and Iowa. For local communities, it represented a vital link that moved goods and people across the river.
The bridge still carries Union Pacific Railroad trains today and is best viewed from a distance rather than up close. Your best views come from the nearby riverbank or observation points around Blair.
During the 2011 floods, this bridge remained one of only a few available crossings between Omaha and Sioux City. Its role as critical infrastructure became especially clear when other passages were submerged.
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