State Street Bridge (Bridgeport, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
State Street Bridge
|
|
State Street Bridge, 2008
|
|
| Location | State St. (Fort Rd.) over the Cass R., Bridgeport, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1906 |
| Built by | Joliet Bridge and Iron Company |
| Architectural style | Pratt Through Truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001391 |
| Added to NRHP | November 29, 1995 |
The State Street Bridge is a historic bridge in Bridgeport, Michigan. It is also known as the Fort Road Bridge or the Bridgeport Bridge. This bridge carries State Street (also called Fort Road) over the Cass River. In 1995, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which lists important historical sites in the United States.
Bridge History
.JPG)
People have built bridges across the Cass River near Bridgeport for a long time. The first bridges appeared around 1841. By the 1870s, a bridge was built about half a mile south of where the current bridge stands.
In 1886, a wooden bridge was built at the current spot. The road was changed to connect to this new bridge. However, by the early 1900s, this wooden bridge was falling apart. In 1906, part of it was even destroyed by floating tree branches and other debris in the river.
Inspectors found that the wooden supports were rotten. So, the local government decided to build a new, stronger bridge. They approved money for the project and hired the Joliet Bridge and Iron Company to build it that same year.
Life of the Bridge
The new bridge was finished in 1906. For many years, it was the only way to get into Bridgeport from the south. This changed in 1958 when a new bridge was built nearby.
In 1969, Saginaw County stopped taking care of the bridge. It became the responsibility of Bridgeport Township. Around 1972, cars were no longer allowed on the bridge. It was then used only by people walking or biking.
By the 2000s, the bridge needed repairs again. One of its main supports was in danger of collapsing. So, in 2010, the bridge was taken apart and completely rebuilt. The old supports were replaced, and the bridge was made strong again. Today, it is still used as a pedestrian bridge for everyone to enjoy.
Bridge Design
The State Street Bridge is a special type of bridge called a Pratt Through Truss bridge. It is made of steel and has two main sections, or "spans." Each span is 126 feet long.
The bridge rests on strong concrete supports at each end. In the middle of the river, there is a steel I-beam that also helps support the bridge. This center support replaced an older concrete one that was damaged by ice in 1927.
Each section of the bridge looks the same. They are made of strong steel parts connected together. The top parts are made of two channels with cover plates. The vertical posts are also made of two channels, held together by special bracing.
The bridge deck, which is the part you walk on, is made of wood planks. These planks are supported by steel beams underneath. Along each side of the bridge, there are two sets of channels that act as a guardrail to keep people safe. At both ends of the bridge, you can see a plaque that says: "1906 / BUILT BY / THE JOLIET BRIDGE / & / IRON CO / JOLIET ILL." This tells you when and who built this historic bridge.
