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| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date and Builder/Engineer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Saginaw Bascule Railroad Bridge
CSX Saginaw River Bridge | Railroad (CSX) Over Saginaw River | Saginaw: Saginaw County, Michigan | Metal 8 Panel Rivet-Connected Warren Through Truss, Movable: Bascule (Abt) and Approach Spans: Metal 5 Panel Rivet-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed | 1944 By Builder/Contractor: American Bridge Company of New York, New York |
| Technical Facts |
| Main Span Length | Structure Length | Roadway Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 160 Feet (48.8 Meters) | 700 Feet (213.4 Meters) | 15 Feet (4.6 Meters) | 1 | 5 |
The west end of this bridge has one deck plate girder and three through
truss approach spans. Going eastward, each truss approach span is a little larger than the next. The first two approach trusses are four panels, although
the second one is a bit longer. The third, westernmost, of the approach spans
has five panels. There are no approaches to the main bascule span at the eastern
end. All the approach truss spans are riveted connection Pratt truss spans. This
bridge was built in 1944 by the American Bridge Company and is a good example of
the transition from v-laced and latticed built-up beams to a more plain built-up box beam
that feature only punched
holes. The approach spans do have v-lacing and lattice on the members and
bracing however, while the bascule span has the punched hole box beams. The
bascule span still has the v-lacing on the bracing however. The bascule span is an eight panel
riveted connection through truss. The mechanics of the bascule span are very
much like the Port Huron Railroad Bridge. The Port Huron Bridge is, like this
Saginaw Bridge, inoperative. Unlike the Saginaw Railroad Bridge, the Port Huron
example is always in the raised position. By comparing the two bridges you can see
how the unusual counterweight swings between two positions as the bridge raises
or lowers. The Port Huron bridge is an earlier example, with a 1931 construction
date.
An advertisement for the American Bridge Company featured an Abt type bascule bridge built in Beaumont, Texas, similar in design to the Saginaw Bascule Bridge. However, the bridge in Beaumont Texas has been demolished. The Saginaw Bascule bridge is one of the few remaining examples of this bridge type in the country.
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Structure Overview
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Structure Details
Original / Full Size Photos |
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. For the best visual immersion and full detail, or for use as a desktop background, this gallery presents the photos for this bridge in the original digital camera resolution. |
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Structure Overview
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Browse Gallery With Popup Viewer |
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|
Structure Details
Mobile Optimized Gallery |
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. View the photos for this bridge in a reduced size which is useful for mobile/smartphone users, modem
(dial-up) users, or those who do not wish to wait for the longer
download times of the full-size photos. Alternatively, view this photo gallery using a popup slideshow viewer (great for mobile users) by clicking the link below.
Browse Gallery With Popup Viewer |
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