Indian Trail Road–Belle River Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Indian Trail Road–Belle River Bridge
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | S-BRITE, S. Sharon Chapel Rd., West Lafayette, Indiana |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1937 |
| Built by | Couse and Sanders |
| Architect | St. Clair County Road Commission |
| Architectural style | Warren pony truss |
| MPS | Highway Bridges of Michigan MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000012 |
| Added to NRHP | January 28, 2000 |
The Indian Trail Road–Belle River Bridge, also known as the Radike Mills Bridge, is a special old bridge. It was first built over the Belle River in China Township, Michigan. This bridge is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Today, you won't find it in Michigan anymore! It was moved all the way to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. There, it's part of a special center that studies steel bridges.
How the Bridge Was Built
Back in the 1930s, during a tough time called the Great Depression, many people didn't have jobs. To help, the St. Clair County Road Commission in Michigan looked for money from the government. They wanted to build roads and bridges. This would give local people work.
In 1935, the Road Commission asked for money from a government program. This program was called the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works. They wanted to build a bridge in this spot. The government said yes in late 1936. They even gave extra money for another bridge nearby.
The county asked companies to bid on building the bridge in October. They chose a company from Detroit called Couse and Sanders. The bridge cost about $33,200. It was finished in July 1937.
The Bridge's Journey
In 2008, the original bridge was taken down from its first spot. A new, modern bridge was put in its place. The old 1937 bridge was then sent to a place called Calhoun County Historic Bridge Park. It stayed there until 2015.
In 2015, the bridge moved again! It was delivered to Purdue University's Steel Bridge Research, Inspection, Training and Engineering Center (S-BRITE). Now, it is part of their Bridge Component Gallery. This means it helps students and engineers learn about how bridges are built and how they work.
What the Bridge Looks Like
This bridge is a type called a Warren pony truss bridge. It has six main sections and is 91 feet long. When it was first built, it stretched 88 feet across the river.
The main parts of the bridge are made of strong metal pieces. These include "upper chords" and "lower chords." There are also diagonal pieces and vertical beams. The bridge's floor is supported by strong I-beams. It used to have railings on each side, along with a modern metal guardrail.
