Port Huron Railroad Bascule Bridge

I have known this bridge all my life, but in my mind it was always this old railroad bridge that was not used anymore. It is even now not all that interesting, since I can not walk across it, and experience the bridge. Either way, it is a warren through truss that is a bascule bridge. It has riveted connections, and v-lacing on many members. The tracks are still on the bridge, and the operator building is still standing, to the right of the bridge in the above picture. This bridge was originally a Pere Marquette bridge, then it was C & O who later became CSX.

A small through plate girder span provides an approach for the bridge on the south side opposite the movable span. Placed on this span is a small plaque for this big bridge. It credits the American Bridge Co. with building this bridge in 1931. The mechanical engineering on this bridge is quite advanced, in the way the counterweight would move as the bridge went up and down. In comparison, the Black River Railroad Bridge, which is upstream a ways from this bridge, has stationary counterweights and has a less complex appearance. Strangely enough the Black River Railroad Bridge is only two years older, with a 1929 construction date.

Acheson Ventures is a philanthropic organization that is doing various money-costing things in the south end of Port Huron. It would be great if they could either restore this bridge so that it could function as a working pedestrian bridge where it is, or be moved off of the water and set down so that people could at least get a look at it. I am sure any of those options would be very costly due to the size of the bridge however. However, considering the money presently spent by Acheson, the restoration of this bridge would certainly be within their funding levels. It is disappointing to see the amount of money spent by this organization and not see any of it go into this impressive and important historic landmark in Port Huron.