| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Bridgeport Bridge
State Street Bridge | State Street (Fort Road) Over Cass River | Bridgeport: Saginaw County, Michigan | Metal Pinned Pratt Through Truss, Stationary | 1906 By: Joliet Bridge and Iron Company of Joliet, Illinois |
| Technical Facts |
| Structure Length (Excluding Approach) | Main Span Length | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 252 Feet (76.8 Meters) | 126 Feet (38.4 Meters) | 2 | Steel Stringer |
This is a breathtaking two span through Pratt truss bridge. It retains plaques at both ends of the bridge, and also original guardrails. V-lacing is present of vertical members, cross bracing, and under the top chords. The pier in the center of the bridge appears to have been modified, and also the wooden deck approach, which is supported by structural steel, does not look original. Despite these couple changes, this is a very historically intact bridge, and due to the fact that it is two-span, it is very rare for Michigan.
There is still some paint on this bridge, although rust has taken a toll on the integrity of some of the joints on this bridge. Despite that, this bridge is still in a restorable condition. However, if action is not taken soon, all could be lost. The South/West end of this bridge is slowly tipping over. You can see this visible if you stand at the other end of the bridge and look at the bridge.
Fortunately, this important structure has caught the attention of several people. Plans are currently being formed to preserve this bridge for pedestrian use. The restoration of this bridge will be an excellent outcome, since not only is the bridge one of Michigan's most noteworthy historic bridges, it also will be very functional, connecting a residential area to a park on the other side of the river.
There are many reasons that this bridge should be restored for pedestrian traffic. The restoration of this bridge would ensure that such a rare and beautiful historic bridge remains around for generations to enjoy. Also, restoring this bridge would provide people who live in town easy access to the park on the other side of this bridge. The way that this town is set up, with this bridge closed, people who live on the north side of town have to travel several miles to get to the park safely. It is no surprise that many locals use the nearby train bridge, which is not fenced off, to walk to the park in a matter of minutes. Restoring this bridge would help encourage people to not cross using the railroad bridge.
Click Here To See A Map Showing The Problem And A Solution
Information and Findings From MDOT
The State Street Bridge spans the Cass River in Bridgeport. It is a two-span, steel, Pratt through truss structure with pinned connections. Each span is 126 feet in length. |
The
State Street Bridge is one of only six surviving late 19th century and
early 20th century multi-span through truss highway bridges left in
Michigan. It is also one of two key surviving examples of bridges in
Michigan produced by the Joliet Bridge and Iron Company of Joliet,
Illinois, one of the leading producers of Michigan's metal truss highway
bridges in the early twentieth century. 