Crescent Rail Bridge, Railway bridge in Rock Island, Illinois
The Crescent Rail Bridge is a railway bridge crossing the Mississippi River between Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. It features seven fixed spans and one movable draw span to allow river traffic to pass through.
The bridge opened in January 1900 as a major milestone in regional rail infrastructure. The ceremonial opening featured a train journey from Clinton accompanied by bells, factory whistles, and cannon fire celebrations.
The bridge played a central role in regional commerce plans, intended to facilitate grain transportation from the northwest to New Orleans with return cotton shipments.
The bridge is accessible from both riverbanks and accommodates regular train traffic alongside river vessel passage. Best viewed from vantage points along the Mississippi to observe its structure and passing traffic.
The bridge takes its name from its curved shape, which allows trains to change direction through gentle turns rather than sharp angles. This graceful arc is a distinctive feature when viewing the structure from the Mississippi.
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