1879: (
Archived Bridge Hunter;
Bridge Hunter;
Historic Bridges;
Satellite)
This PM route is still owned by CSX.
This is how I learned that the 57th Street Bridge is now a pedestrian bridge.
Jennifer Woodman
posted 13 photos and a video with the comment: "
New Richmond Bridge Park has two bridges side by side over the Kalamazoo River. The swing bridge, also called the 57th Street Bridge, was built in 1879. It's a 422-foot [128.6m] Warren pony truss with four main spans, eight approach spans, and an 89-foot [27m] swing span. It's one of the oldest swing bridges in the country and the longest pony truss in Michigan. It's on the National Register of Historic Places and was restored in 2004. Next to it, a 1907 railroad bridge built by the American Bridge Company runs 435 feet [132.6m] as a metal deck girder with six main spans. It was also built to swing, and the extra pier and old swing gears under the bridge are the only evidence left. It is now owned and actively operated by CSX."
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The pier for the swing span is not in the middle of the span so this would be a bobtail bridge.
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| HistoricBridges_1907 |
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Photo by Jim Thias via HistoricBridges_1907
"Photo of surviving swing span gears." |
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HistoricBridges_1879
"This nationally significant bridge is one of the top historic bridges in Michigan. Multi-span pony truss bridges are uncommon, and this four-span structure is the longest remaining pony truss in Michigan. Pin-connected Warren truss bridges like this bridge are very rare both in Michigan and nationwide. The 1879 construction date makes this one of the oldest truss bridges in Michigan. Additionally, pre-1880 metal bridges are extremely rare nationwide. Each surviving example should be considered to have a high level of historic significance due to their rarity and also the fact that bridges from this period show a lack of standardization and reveal the early development of metal bridge construction in the country. The early date of construction is evident in the unusual design of the built-up members and chords on the bridge, which are unlike the standards found in most truss bridges of the 1880s and 1890s. In particular, built-up diagonal members are an unusual design with a corrugated lacing (called ribbon lacing in some sources). In addition, the outriggers have star iron, a unique type of rolled structural iron that was common in the 1870s but not after."
Even though the Kalamazoo River is no longer navigable, the restoration included the mechanics for manually operating the swing span. "An opening ceremony took place in which the bridge was opened and closed."
[Nathan gives this bridge two 10 of 10 ratings, his highest.] |
That is a massive swing pier.
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| 2011 photo by C Hanchey via BridgeHunter_1979 |
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