Monroe Avenue Railroad Overpass North

This bridge is near the Monroe Avenue Railroad Overpass South.

There are two rail overpasses quite near each other here on Monroe Avenue. They are the same basic structure, but each is distinctly different. This is the more standard looking of the two, the northernmost one, that carries the tracks that cross the Grand River. I find this bridge, with its through girder nature, and latticed supports much more beautiful that the bland deck plate girder that crosses the Grand River here. I was disappointed with the Grand River crossing here, just like I was earlier this day with the two Ionia railroad crossings of the Grand River. I guess I expect something more impressive on a river as big as the Grand, like I did find in Lowell.

Anyway, the Keith Dersham contacted me and told me some history about this bridge. The Monroe Avenue Railroad Overpass North was built to carry two sets of tracks, but has always had only a single set, and has never actually carried two. GTW built the bridges wider in anticipation of future expansion, which never panned out, and has carried tracks only on the north side of the bridge to this day. The words Grand Trunk RR are still visible, although someone painted over them. Keith mentioned that the kids used to paint the Tr letters and make it so it read Grand Funk Railroad!

The supports for the main through girder span are latticed. The bottom bracing on these supports is severely rusted, likely due to road salt. I wonder who gets to repair the damage? The city should pay something, but if the railroad would have kept the paint on the bridge more often maybe it would not be so bad. The bridge has a steel stringer approach at each end. The bridge sits on concrete abutments.