Michigan Avenue Railroad Overpass

"M-43 Railroad Overpass"

This bridge is a southwestern Michigan example of a bridge that falls into the world of such bridges as the M-54 Bridge and the M-53 Bridge. As you can see, these bridges usually seem to show up on trunkline or former trunkline bridges, this bridge being no exception. This Michigan Avenue bridge is more like M-54 than M-53. Each one is a bit different, particularly in the abutment or pier department, as the styling is different in each that I have seen. Variations in width of roadway and whether sidewalks are present on the road are in part responsible for these differences. This Michigan Avenue Overpass is actually a through plate girder rather than a deck girder as is the case with the other two bridges discussed on this page. The bridge carries two sets of tracks on its deck, as well as a cantilevered walkway on both sides of the bridge. The bridge passes over five lanes of highway traffic. Abutments are massive, and are concrete with a tunnel of sorts to allow for sidewalks. The bridge, although carrying railroad traffic, has some highway-like features such as the MSHD standard railings and plaque.

The plaque is very large and provides a fair amount of information. When this bridge was built, the Michigan Central Railroad was who owned the trackage, and so they are credited on the plaque. The bridge was a U.S. Works Program bridge, and was built in 1937. W.J. Storen Company was listed as the contractor for the bridge.