Union Pacific Crews Rebuilding Lincoln Bridge Destroyed by Fire

Union Pacific crews are on site in Lincoln rebuilding a railroad bridge destroyed Monday by an unattended campfire in west Lincoln.

A UP official tells KLIN News there is no estimate on when the work will be completed. The nearly 100-year-old bridge over Salt Creek, just west of Pinnacle Bank Arena, is active, and the company is working to resume train traffic on the line.

The bridge went up in flames around 3:45 a.m. Monday and collapsed around 5:30 a.m.

Lincoln Fire and Rescue declared the bridge a total loss. The line, periodically used by UP and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and consisted of heavy timber. MJ Lierman, LFR’s Public Information Manager, said Tuesday that fire investigators believe the fire was caused by an unattended campfire, possibly started by someone experiencing homelessness trying to stay warm.

No arrests or citations have been reported at this time.

The paved portion of the Salt Creek Levee Trail that runs under the two railroad bridges west and southwest of the Breslow Hockey Center remains closed while UP rebuilds the bridge. A spokesman for Lincoln Parks and Recreation tells KLIN News this closure will continue until further notice.

Trail users must use the limestone trail just east of the paved section to avoid the two bridge underpasses. The trail closures are marked, and trail users are asked to watch for emergency and repair vehicles in the area.