| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| 139th Avenue Bridge | 139th Avenue Over Black Creek | Rural: Allegan County, Michigan | Metal Riveted Warren Pony Truss, Stationary | 1920 By: Unknown |
| Technical Facts |
| Structure Length | Roadway Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 44 Feet (13.4 Meters) | 15.75 Feet (4.8 Meters) | 1 | None |
This bridge was an intact example of small warren pony truss bridge construction. The connections on the bridge were riveted. Original simple channel railings remained on the bridge. The bridge had no v-lacing or lattice making it a relatively simple looking bridge. It was a good example of late truss bridge construction in Michigan, with a 1920 construction date. An Illinois steel brand was present on the top chord of the bridge. The structure had appeared to have been closed within five years or so based on the lack of growth on the road leading up to the bridge when Allegan County decided to demolish and replace this quaint little bridge.
Sadly, this bridge was in severely poor condition from a feasibility of restoration standpoint. Large amounts of section loss was present on the bottom chord and several other portions of the truss structure. However, Vern Mesler, leading riveting researcher and historic bridge restoration expert was able to secure parts of this bridge's trusses for research that will aid in the restoration of other historic bridges in the future. Rather than simply being melted down for scrap, this bridge will be helping to save other truss bridges, so it is not an entirely unhappy ending.
While on a national scale the significance of this bridge is small, Michigan has so few metal truss bridges left that the preservation of each remaining structure should be pursued.
