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Key Facts |
Bridge Name | Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
| New Boston Bridge | Truss | Waltz Road | Wayne County, MI | New Boston | Huron River |
This bridge is similar to the one-span Lilley Road Bridge also in Wayne County, and the M-65 Bridge in Iosco County. This bridge is not as large as M-65, which is two-span also, but retains its original railings, increasing its historic significance. M-65 originally had railings just like the ones on this bridge. Michigan had developed a standard plan for pony trusses, and all three of these bridges are examples of this plan. Each one is a bit different however, mainly in terms of length, and as a result, the top chord's shape.
The New Boston Bridge is a two-span Pratt pony truss with seven panels on each span. The bridge is skewed. The top chord has some lattice above and below. V-lacing is on diagonal members. The bridge sits on concrete abutments, which, as MDOT mentions, have had their railings done. The bridge itself retains it original standard 1920s truss bridge railings, and has had no modern railings added. The bridge was built in 1924. MDOT says a plaque was once on the bridge, which identified the Mount Vernon Bridge Company from Mt. Vernon Ohio with building the bridge, as well as Swingle & Robinson Contractors with building the substructure. This is the same company that built the Martin Road Bridge decades earlier. There is some rust on the bridge, but the paint job is still for the most part good. There are cantilevered sidewalks on both sides of this bridge that are original. The bridge is significant for having retained its railings, which although it was once a standard railing, is quite hard to find today, especially unmodified and/or not badly rusted.
