South Union Street–Boardman River Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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South Union Street–Boardman River Bridge
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | S. Union St. over Boardman R., Traverse City, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1931 |
| Built by | L.W. Lamb |
| Architectural style | Built-up girder bridge |
| MPS | Highway Bridges of Michigan MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001651 |
| Added to NRHP | January7, 2000 |
The South Union Street–Boardman River Bridge is a special bridge in Traverse City, Michigan. It crosses over the Boardman River. This bridge is important because it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. This means it's a historic landmark!
What Does the Bridge Look Like?
The South Union Street–Boardman River Bridge is about 75 feet long and 40 feet wide. It has a main section that stretches 73 feet over the Boardman River.
Underneath the bridge, there's a nice park with a walking path. You can also see a dam and another cool bridge, the American Legion Memorial Bridge, nearby. Stairs go down from the bridge to the river park below.
The sides of the bridge have a concrete railing. This railing has square spindles, which are like small posts. There are also concrete walls at each end of the bridge.
Why Was This Bridge Built?
In 1929, leaders in Traverse City started planning. They wanted to replace old and unsafe bridges over the Boardman River. Two of these were at Cass and Union Streets.
The state of Michigan decided to take charge of the Union Street Bridge. This bridge was important because it carried a main road, US 31.
How the Bridge Was Built
State officials looked at the old bridge in late 1929. Then, in July 1930, they sent plans for a new bridge to the city. Companies were asked to bid on building the bridge.
In early 1931, a builder named L. W. Lamb won the job. His company was from Jackson, Michigan. The cost for building the bridge was about $66,482. With extra costs, the total price was almost $78,000.
The bridge was finished in 1931. People thought it looked great and fit well with the park around it. It became a welcoming sight for tourists visiting the area.
