Alton Bridge, Railway bridge in West Alton, US
Alton Bridge was a railway crossing that stretched 631 meters across the Mississippi River, joining West Alton in Missouri to Illinois. The structure was built from eight truss sections, including six Pratt trusses, one Pennsylvania truss, and one moveable pivot truss.
Built from 1892 to 1894, it served the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad as a major crossing over the river. After more than 90 years in use, it was shut down and dismantled in 1988.
The bridge represented a vital link that shaped how locals understood their region's role in the nation's railroad network. For people living nearby, it embodied the economic growth that rail transportation brought to the area.
You can view the structure from several vantage points along the riverbank, as it rises directly above the water. To appreciate the design better, explore both riverbanks and observe the different truss segments from various angles.
The structure featured an unusual engineering solution: the pivot truss section could swing open to allow riverboats to pass underneath. This clever design meant the river remained navigable while trains could cross overhead.
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