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Original Location Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Charlotte Highway Bridge
| Charlotte Highway Over Grand River | Rural: Ionia County, Michigan | Metal Pinned Whipple Through Truss, Stationary | 1886 By: Buckeye Bridge Works of Cleveland, Ohio |
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Current Location Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Charlotte Highway Bridge
| Bridge Park Trail Over Bridge Park Drive | Rural: Calhoun County, Michigan | Metal Pinned Whipple Through Truss, Stationary | 1886 By: Buckeye Bridge Works of Cleveland, Ohio |
Formerly located in Ionia County, the Charlotte Highway Bridge is one of only three Whipple (double-intersection Pratt) highway bridges left in Michigan, and is a relatively large span example. It is also the only remaining bridge in Michigan built by the Buckeye Bridge and Iron Works of Cleveland Ohio. It is the fifth truss bridge to be erected in Historic Bridge Park.
Journal of Visits To This Bridge During Restoration:
During fall of 2005, I visited and found that the only activity that had gone on at the park is the creation of reproduction floor beams for the bridge. The original floor beams were apparently in too bad of a shape to be restored. The reproduction beams are true to the original, and they are riveted together the way the originals were.
A visit in February of 2006 revealed that the flooring system of the bridge was assembled. Also, the rest of the bridge pieces had been brought on site. I found this fascinating, as I always like to see what the parts look like when separate and on their own. It is often easier to visualize how everything fits together on a truss bridge when you see it in pieces like this. As a result, I have added a bunch of photos to the gallery.
An August 2006 visit revealed that the actual truss assembly is in progress, and a portion of the bridge's trusses were put together. Some of the crew was there, and I talked with them a bit and learned that they were hoping to get it put together by this winter. I have added photos to the gallery from this visit.
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Information and Findings From MDOT