US-31: (
Archived Bridge Hunter;
Bridge Hunter;
Historic Bridges;
Satellite)
Looking East at the railroad bridge from the road bridge.
Fred Meuter
posted two photos with the comment: "Two bridges spanning the mighty Wabash River near Peru, Indiana. The blue bridge is the Peru Steel Truss Bridge and the second bridge is the New Nickel Plate Bridge, which is part of the trail of the same name. I believe that this was originally a railroad bridge that was converted for walk and bike riding."
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1
[Fred caught the river at a higher level than the street view.] |
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| 2 |
The 610' (186m) long road bridge has spans of 200' (61m). "This is an impressive and attractive example of a state-designed highway truss bridge. It retains good historic integrity. It supposedly is listed as a Select Bridge under the Indiana Historic Bridge Management Plan, which would make it one of the few state-designed bridges with the beautiful arched portal and sway bracing design to be designated for preservation." [HistoricBridges_US-31]
"Built 1939; rehabilitated 1988. Rehabilitated 2019. Former US 31, also know as the Blue Star Highway with plaque at Southwest corner at road intersection" [BridgeHunter_US-31]
The 587' (179m) long railroad bridge has spans of 135' (41m). [HistoricBridges]
"This former "
Peru and Indianapolis" railroad line was one of the first in Indiana connecting Indianapolis to Peru via Noblesville, Tipton, and Kokomo for a connection with the Wabash and Erie Canal which lay just past the North side of this bridge. Later another rail line was constructed from Michigan City to Peru via Plymouth and Rochester and both lines were merged to form one continuous connection. Later acquired by the Lake Erie and Western Railroad, and later Nickel Plate Road, it was called the IMC division. IMC=Indy to Michigan City. Norfolk and Western later acquired Nickel Plate, and later became Norfolk Southern. In 1989, line was leased to Central Railroad of Indianapolis (CERA), a division of Railtex, and was used little. After CERA and Railtex was bought out by another parent company named Railamerica, Norfolk Southern took back the line and never used it again. It was abandoned in 1999, but Railbanked. Railbanking assures the right of way is left intact in case future transportation needs require it to be reactivated. Sometimes utilities can also use the right of way via the Railbanking clause. The Indiana Trails Fund immediately took possesion of the line form Rochester to Cassville(just North of Kokomo)via a Surface Transportation Board ruling after abandonment was granted and are building the Nickel Plate Trail along this line which includes this bridge. Part of the trail is finished in different areas, but this bridge requires extra safety requirements to protect trail users that have not been completed as of 2009. Bridge is easily viewed from the OLD US 31 Through Truss bridge which is just downstream from the Nickel Plate bridge." [James Norwood via ArchivedBridgeHunter_NKP]
Note the railroad bridge on the right side.
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| Postcard via BridgeHunter_US-31 |
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| HistoricBridges_NKP |
Compare the river level in this photo to that in the street view at the top of these notes.
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| 2020 photo by David Case via BridgeHunter_NKP |
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