Bridge was built the Wabash Railroad as part of a direct route from Detroit to Kansas City that did not require going through Chicago or St. Louis. The route crossed the Illinois River here at Valley City, and crossed the Mississippi River on the more famous Wabash Bridge at Hannibal.

The first bridge at this location was built just upstream. The rail bed is still visible on topographical and aerial photos. That bridge was also a truss bridge, but most likely had a swing span. The Wabash was taken over by Norfolk Southern in 1964.

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