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Key Facts |
Bridge Name | Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
| Portland Bridge | Truss | Bridge Street | Ionia County, MI | Portland | Grand River |
So many times a road or street in a city was named Bridge Street, and so often today that name sounds exciting but usually reveals an ugly slab bridge. This is one Bridge Street that deserves its name. Portland has treated their historic bridges well. Although their restorations of Kent Street and the railroad bridge leave some things to be desired, their restoration of this truss bridge on Bridge Street leaves nothing to be desired: this is an excellent restoration!
This bridge is a two-span pin connected Pratt through truss. It was built in 1890 by the Groton Bridge Company of Groton New York. Plaques remain on top of the latticed portal bracing on this bridge. Decorative finials adorn the end posts of this bridge. V-lacing is present on vertical members. The sway bracing has a bit of a arch shape, and is latticed. The metal grate deck and modern Armco car guardrails are not original, but are not bad looking. Although others may disagree with me, metal grate decks are my second favorite type of deck to put on a truss bridge, with wood deck being in first place. The Armco guardrails did not really detract from the appearance of the bridge. Luckily, the guardrails on the cantilevered sidewalks were still there, and they are very ornate and beautiful railings.
This bridge forms an attractive, historic, and exciting entry into the downtown of Portland. It does not provide an exit however, as it is one-way. With a two-way crossing nearby, this was a fine way to eliminate the "dangers" that people in charge of bridges often fret about with historic one-way bridges.
