Bruce Highway Bridge

This Bridge is in Danger!

Compared to some of the other pin connected Pratt pony trusses in Michigan, I thought this was a decent length of a bridge. This is a four-panel half-hip pony truss. The Michigan Historic Bridge Inventory gave a 63 foot length for this bridge which was built in 1910. Unless the bridge was something very exceptional, MDOT only listed pony trusses built after 1900 that were longer than 80 feet. That is probablly why this deserving bridge didn't make MDOT's website. This bridge is an interesting comparison to the Card Road Bridge in Macomb County, which is a warren pony truss with riveted connections. At 77 feet in length, it is a bit longer, but guardrails, deck and general feel of the bridge are similar. Card Road was also built in 1910. As such, it is a pretty straightforward pinned versus riveted comparison in regards to connection type. Note that a major difference is the presence of V-lacing on Bruce Highway, and the presence of buttresses on Card Road.

Technical issues aside, this is a wonderfully aesthetic bridge and is in a very secluded natural area. It would be nice to see this bridge restored in place for pedestrian use and a nature trail made here. Instead this bridge sits, slowly rusting away forgotton by all save perhaps the locals and people like me who wander down roads that say "road closed." This bridge is lucky in a way though... about half of the Lenawee County truss bridges have been replaced between 1995, when the bridge inventory was taken, and 2005 when I took a Lenawee County tour.