CSX/B&O Railroad Bridge, Key Meadows, Indianapolis, Indiana

I did research on this bridge and hopefully I have all my bases covered but if something here doesn’t sound correct to you, please leave a comment below.

This bridge was built in 1916 and is part of the original Indianapolis & Frankfort Rail Line. This line was officially created on Christmas Eve in 1913 but it wouldn’t be until February 1916 when construction would begin. The construction of the line included grade separations or overpasses in Marion County for the following roads which still have the original 1916 overpasses: Morris Street, 10th Street, 21st Street & Country Club Road. Overpasses were also built in 1916 for US 40, US 36 and US 136 however these have all been replaced to allow for widening of the roadway.

There were also bridges built over the Big Four, the Peoria & Eastern Railways.

This rail line is only 41 miles long and only ran through 2 towns, Lebanon & Frankfort.

This bridge appears to have been built for 2 tracks although from what I’ve been able to find out, only one track was ever built. The line completely opened to rail traffic in June of 1918.

Today the line is owned by CSX and is active although on both of my visits to the bridge in March 2022 and March 2026, I never did have an opportunity to see a train crossing the bridge.

The former B & O rail line below was embargoed in 1987 and the tracks were removed in 1992. Today there is a walking/bike trail on the old B & O right of way.

GPS Location: 39º47’40.4″N 86º18’18.7″W