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BRIDGES

The island is connected with Rock Island. Moliue and Davenport by bridges which were built and are maintained by the government, and at which guards are constantly on duty. The present bridge leading to Davenport is the third to be erected and has provision for railway and general traffic. All left of the old one is now but a vine covered pier about a quarter of a mile above the present structure.

It was the first bridge to be built across the Mississippi river from its mouth to its source, and was erected by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company. The first train consisting of a locomotive and eight cars passed over it April 21, 1856, the road having been completed to Rock Island in 1854.

On May 1. 1850 the first span east of the draw, 250 feet in length, was destroyed by fire, which was caused by the steamer Effic Afton striking one of the piers on which the span rested, the steamer catching fire and burning, the flames being communicated to the bridge. In the following month, during a severe wind storm, the draw span was lifted from its supports, and blown over on its side up river, so that it hung suspended with both ends in midair. This bridge, which stood about a third of a mile above the present one, was replaced by a new one which was built jointly by the government and the railway where the present bridge now stands, at the lower or western end of the island.

This was completed in October. 1872. and was turned over to the care of the commandant of the arsenal in February. 1873. Its total length was 1.550 feet, divided into five spaces and a draw. Its cost was close to a million dollars. This structure served until the present steel bridge, built on the same pier during the winter of 1894-5 succeeded it. This is a double decked bridge with double railroad track above and a double wagon way and double foot way below. The trusses of this thoroughly modern bridge are calculated to carry a total moving load of 11,360 pounds per lineal foot. The draw space, which weighs approximately 2,500,000 pounds, is one of the heaviest ones ever built. The chain motion for moving the draw is a departure from the custom usually followed in bridge construction, and has proven very satisfactory

. Beginning at the north end the first span is 260 feet long, the second, third and fourth are each 220 feet, the fifth 260, -while the total length of the draw space is 368 feet, giving an open space for passage of vessels of 162 feet on each side of the draw pier. The approach upon the Davenport side is 200 feet in length, while on the end next the island it is 100 feet, making a total, including the approach spans of 1.848 feet. The cost, including repairs on the original piers, was $495,000. Ralph Modjeska. son of the famous actress, the late Madame Modjeska, was the chief engineer of this splendid structure, and the Phoenix Bridge Company were the builders of both bridges constructed on this site.

At the southwest limit of the island the government, in 1907, built a fine new steel bridge, connecting it with the Illinois shore in the city of Rock Island, the approach being at Third avenue and Twenty-fourth street. The southern end of this bridge forms a viaduct under which the railways entering the city pass. At the eastern end of the island is a bridge which, crossing the South branch, known as Sylvan Water, connects it with the city of Moline.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

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