Goodwin Road Bridge
Bridge Documented: March 2007
| Bridge Name |
Facility Carried / Feature Intersected |
Location |
Structure Type |
Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
Goodwin Road Bridge
|
Goodwin Road Over Grand River |
Rural: Ionia County, Michigan |
Metal Pinned Pratt Through Truss, Stationary |
1909 By: Riverside Bridge Company of Martin's Ferry, Ohio |
| Structure Length |
Main Span Length |
Main Spans |
Approach Spans |
| 300 Feet (91.44 Meters) |
150 Feet (45.72 Meters) |
2 |
None |
Two-span truss bridges are hard to come by in Michigan these
days. This bridge is a beautiful example of a two span Pratt through truss. The
bridge was built in 1909 by the Riverside Bridge Company of Martin's Ferry,
Ohio, according to MDOT. MDOT mentions that this is the only surviving work of
that company in the state. Indeed, this company's work has not been found in
many places even outside of Michigan. The bridge has pinned connections, with eyebars that
are the up-set variety. The bridge sits on concrete abutments and piers. The
deck is wooden. v-lacing is present on the sway bracing and vertical members.
The portal bracing is made of lattice. Railings on the bridge are original pole
railings. These are damaged in some spots, mainly on the east end of the bridge.
The spans are ten panels each. This bridge's members and chords have
a relatively massive feeling to them, likely due to the bridge's relatively late
(for pin-connected truss bridges) 1909 construction date and also the large 150
foot spans. Also, this bridge has withstood the
onslaught of ice, according to a photo from MDOT's website, shown on this page.
This bridge is in decent condition, and is on a beautiful spot
on the Grand River. It deserves to be restored here in its original location for
vehicular traffic, or even just for pedestrian traffic.
Recently someone has burned holes in parts of the deck.
Regardless of whether the bridge is abandoned or not, this is an act of arson
and if anyone on the HistoricBridges.org team witnesses
anyone damaging historic bridges they will immediately contact the police.
Anyone else who cares for history and safety is encouraged to do the same.
Views of some of the damage are available here:
