Powers Highway Bridge

Visit MDOT's Page For This Historic Bridge

This Bridge is in Danger!

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Powers Highway Bridge	Truss	Powers Highway	Eaton County, MI	Rural	Battle Creek

This truss bridge is a pony lattice truss. According the MDOT is the only known example of its type in the state. Its connections are riveted, it has cobblestone abutments, and the deck is wood. It is currently closed to traffic. A fading layer of silver paint remains on the bridge, and rust is beginning to take over. The members are all very small, and no part of the bridge has v-lacing. There are no guardrails on the bridge.

This is a worthwhile bridge to preserve, since it is such an unusual type. If the county does not want to restore this bridge, I would recommend moving it to Historic Bridge Park. The bridge is so small and it would not be difficult to move, in my opinion. This bridge's strength is in its rarity, more so than its aesthetic qualities. As truss bridges go, this is a simply ornamented bridge. The bridge still appears to be in decent condition, so I think that action should be taken now, before it begins to be less decent.

This is an excerpt from the information found in the Michigan Historic Sites Online:

About the Powers Highway Bridge, From Michigan Historic Sites Online

Narrative Description:

main span number: 1 main span length: 25.0 structure length: 28.0 roadway width: 16.3 structure width: 15.8 The Powers Highway Bridge, which is positioned on an east-west axis, is surrounded by farmland. The bridge carries Powers Highway, which is a short gravel road. Features of the bridge include: upper chord: back -to-back angles; bottom chord: channel section; vertical: back-to-back angles; diagonals: crossed angles which also serve as the lattice work railings; angle outriggers at corners; floor beam: I-beam bolted to superstructure; bottom laterals: crossed angles.

Statement of Significance:

This structure appears to be the only one of its type in the survey. Lattice pony trusses are rare in Michigan. Numerous pony trusses were built according to the Pratt and Warren designs. A lattice pony truss was cheaper to build, because of the smaller members in the webs, but was not as strong as the Pratt or Warren. The 1910 date provided by the MDOT database seems plausible, given the design. No archival records could be found, but the bridge was probably built by the township, which would have been looking for the most economical design. The Powers Highway Bridge is eligible for the National Register under Criterion C because of its unusual design, which may be the only example in Michigan.