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Key Facts |
Bridge Name |
Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
Six Mile Creek Road Bridge | Truss | Six Mile Creek Road | Shiawassee County, MI | Rural (New Haven) | Shiawassee River |
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Technical Facts |
|
Construction Date |
Structure Length | Roadway Width | Builder |
| 1896 | 131.89 Feet | 15.75 Feet | Morse Bridge Company of Youngstown, Ohio |
Don't let the name of the road fool you, this unique bridge goes over the Shiawassee River.
This pin connected Pratt through truss bridge is the only remaining bridge in Michigan built by the Morse Bridge Company. Based on the age of this bridge (1896) and the color of the rust on this bridge, I would say the bridge could be wrought iron. No paint remains on the bridge anywhere. The deck is wood, laid out in the classic design, which includes the extra boards for where the tires ride.
The bracing is what makes this bridge extra special. There is no bracing above the deck that is perpendicular to the top chord. This is most unusual, and have not seen this oddity on any other turn of the century through truss. The portal bracing is a quite unique design, with the top of it arching above the top chord, and an interesting design on the corners. Plaques remain on the bridge, although one has broken. Guardrails appear to have been replaced, but before modern Armco style guardrails took over. Rusted steel cables and fencing now form the guardrails for the bridge. The only thing that appears to remain of the original guardrails is the end posts, suggesting perhaps the original railings were pipes.
The bridge sits on fieldstone abutments. The west abutments appear to have had some major cement repairs long ago, which mostly covered up the field stones. The east abutment appears to be completely original, with no cement patching visible. The stones still appear to be all in place, although the mortar has all but disappeared, which means that the abutment will begin to lose structural integrity if nothing is done. Although field stone abutments are very attractive, I hesitate to be happy about them, since they are notorious for breaking apart if they are not cared for. On the other hand, the stone are piled up in an unusually orderly fashion, so they may be less reliant on mortar, and may be stronger than they look. Needless to say, these are unusual abutments.
This bridge sits in a very attractive location, and in my opinion should have its abutments repaired, and be restored in its current location. This is a beautiful, rare, and unique bridge, and could continue to offer a positive aspect to the surrounding area for another century if someone were to restore it.
A Spring 2006 visit to this bridge allowed me to get beautiful side views of this bridge. Be sure to check the photo gallery.
