Swan Creek Road Bridge #1

This bridge is on private property and is not accessible to the public.

This Bridge is in Danger!

Do Not Visit This Bridge!

Although this bridge appears on the official Michigan Historic Bridge Inventory, this and the other bridge, Swan Creek Bridge #2, which is near this bridge have since been sold to the Twin Bridges Golf Course. Although I assume this golf course was named after these bridges, it should be noted that neither of these bridges are actually on the course itself, which is south of these bridges, nor have they been preserved. These bridges sit in their original locations on the old alignment of Swan Creek Road. The owner of the property made it clear that he does not want anybody on his property viewing either of these bridges. This entire situation is most unfortunate, as I feel both of these bridges would make a fine addition to any golf course, especially one named "Twin Bridges." Instead, these bridges sit rotting away and inaccessible. I am thankful however that the landowner allowed me to make a quick photo-documentation of the bridges. At least now, their existence and construction has been recorded. The result is that I have a small assortment of photos available in the photo gallery, a large percentage of which are available of Full/Wallpaper sized images.

Twin Bridges?

These bridges are not really twins, and in fact are quite different. Although I am unsure which is which, the Michigan historic Bridge Inventory shows two Swan Creek Road truss bridges, one built in 1885 the other in 1887. Swan Creek Road Bridge #1 is more of a classic small half-hip Pratt pony truss with riveted connections. Swan Creek Road Bridge #2 is by definition the same type of bridge, but is not half-hip, and visually, it is clearly a more unusual structure. Also note that although these bridges are on Swan Creek Road, they actually cross Beaver Creek and Beaver Creek Branch.

Technical Descriptions

This is a four panel half-hip Pratt pony truss with riveted connections. It features lattice guardrails. The bridge features a jack-arch deck, consisting of a curved corrugated steel base, with concrete poured above. There is no v-lacing on any members or chords. The bridge sits on concrete abutments.