US 12 Bridges facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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US 12 Bridges
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Bridge from westbound I94
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location |  US 12 over  I-94 and westbound I-94 ramp, Dearborn, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1948 |
| Built by | Darin and Armstrong |
| Architect | Michigan State Highway Department |
| Architectural style | stringer; deckplate girder |
| MPS | Highway Bridges of Michigan MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000041 |
| Added to NRHP | February 4, 2000 |
The US 12 Bridges are two important bridges in Dearborn, Michigan. They carry U.S. Route 12 (US 12) over Interstate 94 (I-94) and one of its ramps. These bridges were added to the National Register of Historic Places in the year 2000. This means they are recognized as special historical structures.
Why Were These Bridges Built?
Long ago, people in the 1920s realized that Detroit needed a big, fast road to cross the city. This idea was discussed for many years. By the early 1940s, plans started to become more serious. The state began preparing for large building projects after World War II.
This new road was first called the "Crosstown Expressway." But in April 1946, the Detroit City Council decided to rename it the "Edsel Ford Expressway." This new expressway would be about 14 miles (23 km) long. It needed more than 70 different structures, including bridges. The US 12 Bridges are two of these important structures.
When Were the Bridges Built?
Building the Edsel Ford Expressway started in 1948. The first part of the project was on the border between Detroit and Dearborn. The US 12 Bridges were among the first parts of the expressway to be built.
A company called Darin & Armstrong won the contract to build the bridges. They started working in August 1948. The bridges were finished by August 1949. To celebrate, a special ceremony was held on August 17. The State Highway Commissioner, Charles Ziegler, was there to mark the opening.
What Do the Bridges Look Like?
There are two bridges that make up the US 12 Bridges. One bridge goes over the main I-94 highway. The other, shorter bridge goes over the westbound I-94 ramp. This shorter bridge is about 50 feet (15 meters) long and 90 feet (27 meters) wide.
The bridge has many strong beams underneath called stringers. There are eighteen of these beams. They are placed closer together in the middle of the bridge. This was done to support a streetcar line that used to run there. Metal channels are laid over these beams and attached firmly. The railings on the bridges were added later, in 1967. They have a solid base and horizontal pipes.
