Jefferson Avenue–Huron River and Harbin Drive–Silver Creek Canal Bridges facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Jefferson Avenue-Huron River and Harbin Drive-Silver Creek Canal Bridges
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | West Jefferson Avenue over Huron River and Harbin Dr. over Silver Creek Canal Berlin and Brownstown, MI |
|---|---|
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Michigan State Highway Department |
| MPS | Highway Bridges of Michigan MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000080 |
| Added to NRHP | February 10, 2000 |
The Jefferson Avenue–Huron River and Harbin Drive–Silver Creek Canal Bridges are two separate bridges located very close to each other. They even share a continuous railing! These bridges were added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 10, 2000. This means they are important historical sites in the United States.
The Jefferson Avenue Bridge carries West Jefferson Avenue over the Huron River. This bridge connects two different areas: Brownstown Township in Wayne County and Berlin Township in Monroe County. Both bridges are about one mile (1.6 km) from Lake Erie. They are on a historic route that connects the cities of Detroit and Toledo. The Jefferson Avenue Bridge is also known as a Michigan Historic Site.
Jefferson Avenue Bridge: A Look at Its Design
The Jefferson Avenue Bridge is the larger of the two bridges. It has three main sections. This bridge is 165 feet (50 meters) long and 36 feet (11 meters) wide. It carries a two-lane road. North of the river, the road is called West Jefferson Avenue. South of the river, it is known as the U.S. Turnpike.
This bridge was built in 1930 by the Michigan Department of Transportation. It replaced an older bridge that used to swing open to let boats pass. The new bridge is a type called a beam bridge. It was built high enough so that small boats can easily pass underneath without the bridge needing to move.
In recent years, parts of the bridge's structure have started to show wear. However, the road surface where cars drive was repaired in 2016. This helps keep the bridge safe for everyone to use.
Harbin Drive Bridge: A Smaller Connection
The Harbin Drive Bridge is much smaller than the Jefferson Avenue Bridge. It is only 45 feet (14 meters) long and 27 feet (8 meters) wide. This bridge carries Harbin Drive over the Silver Creek Canal. The canal then flows into the Huron River.
The Harbin Drive Bridge is located just north of the Jefferson Avenue Bridge. As mentioned, the two bridges are connected by a continuous railing. The Harbin Drive Bridge was actually built a few years before the Jefferson Avenue Bridge, but its exact construction date is not known. Harbin Drive is a gravel road. It connects a few homes on a narrow island in the river.
