Potomac Creek Bridge, Railway bridge in Stafford County, Virginia, United States
Potomac Creek Bridge is a railway bridge spanning the waterway of the same name with a combination of steel and wooden structural elements. It continues to serve as an active transportation link on the regional railway network today.
The bridge was reconstructed in 1862 under Union General Herman Haupt's leadership during the Civil War. The project was completed in just nine days using locally sourced timber to restore critical rail connections.
The bridge represents the determination of Civil War engineers who maintained essential transportation links between Washington DC and Richmond through innovative construction methods.
The bridge is regularly used by freight and passenger trains and should only be accessed by authorized railway personnel. Visitors can view the structure from surrounding pathways and public areas near the creek.
President Lincoln observed the completed structure and remarked that it seemed built from cornstalks and beanpoles due to how sparingly materials were used. His comment highlighted the engineering resourcefulness that achieved maximum function with minimal supplies.
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