| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| 1st Avenue Railroad Bridge | Railroad (Abandoned) 1st Avenue | Bessemer: Gogebic County, Michigan | Metal Riveted Camelback Pony Truss, Stationary | 1896 By: Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Thanks to James Rouse for visiting and photographing this bridge.
This bridge is one of only two known railroad over highway grade separations in Michigan to utilize a truss structure. The other one is the massive Southern Street Railroad Overpass, at the opposite corner of the state in Detroit. Moreover, this extremely unusual bridge is even more significant for its design, which could be accurately described as bizarre. Utilizing lightweight members and chords, this bridge has a somewhat primitive look to it. The end posts are vertical and are very short, which is unusual. The panels at each ends are actually more of a plate girder structure. The truss configuration is an odd combination of camelback and double-intersection Warren. The bridge is supported by a wooden substructure. Although no longer serving railroad traffic, the preservation of this bridge is essential, as it is an unusual design, and may be unique. It is unclear why such an unusual design was selected, whether it was built from "spare parts" or some builder was experimenting with efficient designs.
