Elm Circle Drive Bridge

Visit MDOT's Page For This Historic Bridge

This is an extremely rare example of a bowstring truss bridge. With a construction date of 1900, it falls out of context with the average time period for bowstring bridge construction. Most bowstrings were built in the 1870s. This bridge is a good, yet rare, example of a later bowstring. Like other bowstrings built in this relatively late time period, it lacks a lot of decoration, compared to the 1870s bowstrings like Blackfriars Street Bridge. I am unsure why this occurred, as other truss bridge types built in this time period were extremely ornate. The bridge is a pony truss, and the members on the Elm Circle Drive Bridge are very lightweight. No lattice or v-lacing is present anywhere. The deck is wood, and connections on the bridge are riveted. Armco guardrails have been placed on the bridge. I am unsure what the original railings might have been like. MDOT credits the C.J. Glasgow Company, which was from Detroit, with building the bridge.

This bridge is located on Elm Circle Drive, but I was surprised to find out that Elm Circle Drive is a park road. Perhaps long ago, there were once houses on this road but I am unsure. I assume, but can not be certain, that this is the bridge's original location. The bridge is closed to traffic, although a sign nearby indicates that there was a weight limit of 6 tons prior to its closure. The bridge may still be used by park officials however, as the bridge was not blocked off. Rocks blocked access to the road from the main park road.