Masters Road–Belle River Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Masters Road–Belle River Bridge
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Masters Rd. over Belle R., Riley Township, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1935 |
| Built by | J.H. Baker & Sons |
| Architect | St. Clair Co. Road Commission |
| Architectural style | Steel I-beam Stringer |
| MPS | Highway Bridges of Michigan MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001728 |
| Added to NRHP | January 27, 2000 |
The Masters Road–Belle River Bridge is a special bridge in Riley Township, Michigan. It helps Masters Road cross over the Belle River. This bridge is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the year 2000.
Building the Masters Road Bridge
The Masters Road–Belle River Bridge was built during a tough time called the Great Depression. This was a period in the 1930s when many people didn't have jobs. To help people find work, the St. Clair County Road Commission looked for money from the government. They wanted to build roads and bridges.
This bridge was one of those projects. The Road Commission made the plans for the bridge. In late 1934, they asked companies to bid on the job. A company called J.H. Baker & Sons won the contract. They built the bridge for $9,391.
What the Bridge Looks Like
This bridge has one main section that is 55 feet long. It is 24 feet wide. The bridge is made of five strong steel beams. These beams are covered with a concrete top. Dirt and gravel cover the concrete deck where cars drive.
On each side of the bridge, there are railings. These railings have two horizontal pipes. Vertical steel bars are placed between the pipes. Concrete posts hold up the railings. These posts have cool designs like angled corners and stepped tops. This style is called Streamline Moderne. The railings and the walls below them curve gently. These walls are made of stones and concrete. They might be from an older bridge that was once in this spot.
