Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains/ICC valuations/Van Buren Bridge Company

Interstate Commerce Commission, Valuation Reports, Volume 97

Van Buren Bridge Company

Location and General Description of Property

Van Buren Bridge Company, located in the northeastern part of Maine, is the owner of a five-span steel railroad bridge crossing the St. John River between Van Buren, Me., and the Parish of Saint Leonards (New Brunswick), Canada. The company owns 1.07 miles of main track, but only that portion lying in the United States, 0.078 mile, is included in this report. In Appendix 1 will be found a general description of the property of the Van Buren Bridge Company.

Corporate History

Van Buren Bridge Company was incorporated under private and special laws of the State of Maine dated January 30, 1913, and effective July 11, 1913. It was organized July 12, 1913, by interests entirely independent of the carrier, but its charter was acquired by that company in 1914. On June 6, 1913, the Canadian Government gave authority to the Van Buren Bridge Company for the construction of a bridge, through transfer of the right of the Restigouche and Western Railway Company to build and maintain a bridge across the St. John River between Grand Falls and Edmunston, New Brunswick. The bridge was built for the purpose of connecting the carrier's system with the Canadian railways, which it was believed would ultimately develop a large and profitable interchange of new business.

Van Buren Bridge Company is operated by the carrier, as agent. and is controlled by it through ownership of all of the outstanding capital stock. Its principal office is located at Bangor, Me. The detailed facts as to the development of the fixed physical property are given in Appendix 2.

Development of Fixed Physical Property

Van Buren Bridge Company did its own construction work, employing William J. Wilgus, of New York, to take charge of engineering, inspection, and administration in connection with the project. Construction began about July, 1914, and the bridge was so far completed that it was opened for operation on May 1, 1915. Minor construction work was done after that date. The substructure was built by Cyr Brothers, of Waterville, Me. Grading and masonry were done by Hill and Hammond, of Woodstock, New Brunswick, and the superstructure, including bridge deck, ties, and guard rail, were constructed by the Dominion Bridge Company, Limited, of Montreal. From May 1, 1915, to date of valuation, the bridge has been operated by the carrier as agent for the Van Buren Bridge Company.