| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Belle Isle Central Avenue Bridge | Central Avenue Over Canoe Stream | Detroit: Wayne County, Michigan | Metal Stringer, Stationary | 1893 By: King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio |
| Technical Facts |
| Alteration Date | Structure Length | Roadway Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 1946 | 54.8 Feet (16.7 Meters) | 49 Feet (14.9 Meters) | 1 | None |
This ornate bridge is on one of the main roads on Belle Isle. It was built in 1893 by the King Bridge Company, However, historic significance is hurt by the fact that its original arched built-up riveted beams were replaced in 1947 with traditional rolled stringers, although the bridge today retained its original general appearance including substructure and ornamentation. The railings on this bridge are extremely ornate, along with the decorative arch which is not structural. This bridge is a sister to the nearby Casino Bridge.
The bridge stumped Michigan's historic bridge inventory, since their discussion implies that they thought the bridge was originally built as a stringer bridge. However a historical photo clearly shows arched beams under the bridge, demonstrating that the bridge was originally a steel deck arch structure.
Above: Historical photo of bridge. To the right is an enlarged and enhanced detail of the photo showing an arched, riveted built-up beam, clearly showing that this bridge was not originally constructed as a stringer. Photo Source: Library of Congress.
Information and Findings From MDOT
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The
steel-stringer structure of the Central Avenue Bridge is disguised by an
ornate metal grill, which makes the bridge appear to be a metal arch.
Coursed ashlar forms the wing walls. Octagonal stone posts, trimmed with
acanthus leaf and other designs, and decorated metal posts hold the
ornate metal railing panels. The following is inscribed in the northwest
and southeast end posts: “When the bridge was rebuilt in 1946, city
engineers were careful to retain the arched metal fascia and the
original railings and posts. In September 1879, the city of Detroit
purchased Belle Isle, a 707-acre island in the Detroit River. By 1940,
fill had expanded its size to nearly 1,000 acres. According to local
historian Clarence M. Burton, it was originally “an unimproved area,
abounding in native forests, sloughs, swales and was very unattractive.”
The city hired prominent landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead for
$7,000 per year to plan and oversee improvements. His layout included a
central driveway, Central Avenue, and the canal that meanders around the
island. A casino opened on the island in 1877, giving a name to another
of the island’s roads. The Central Avenue Bridge was similar in
appearance to another which was apparently built on the island at the
same time, but is no longer in extant. Arched girders comprised the
structure of the other bridge, which was the subject of a favorable
article in The Engineering Record in May 1893. The article observed that
most bridge design was ruled by economy, resulting in utilitarian
structures that lacked “any opportunity for graceful effects, or
pleasing or ornamental outlines.” A more picturesque option, masonry
arches, cost significantly more and took longer to erect. Belle Isle’s
arched girder bridge “relieve(d) the square severity of the straight
girders and secure(d) a more pleasing effect with our materially
increasing the necessary cost.” The Central Avenue Bridge, on the other
hand, achieved a picturesque appearance by screening the structural
stringers with an ornate arched fascia. Both bridges were produced by
the King Bridge Company of Cleveland, Ohio, it is not clear why two
designs were employed for bridges of equal span, built at about the same
time.