Lake Shore Drive Bridge (Michigan)

Lake Shore Drive Bridge
Coordinates 47°24′45″N 88°17′48″W / 47.4125°N 88.2967°W / 47.4125; -88.2967Coordinates: 47°24′45″N 88°17′48″W / 47.4125°N 88.2967°W / 47.4125; -88.2967
Carries Pedestrians
Crosses Eagle River
Locale Eagle River, Michigan
Other name(s) M-26 Bridge
Eagle River Bridge
Heritage status Michigan State Historic Site
Designated: May 10, 1990
ID number 42142021000B030
Followed by Eagle River Timber Bridge
Characteristics
Material Steel
Total length 139 feet (42 m)
Width 18 feet (5.5 m)[1]
Longest span 105 feet (32 m)
Number of spans 3
History
Designer Michigan State Highway Department
Constructed by Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company
Construction end 1915

The Lake Shore Drive Bridge, also known as the M-26 Bridge[1] or the Eagle River Bridge,[2] is a pedestrian bridge in Eagle River, Michigan, crossing the Eagle River. It carried highway M-26 over the river from 1915 until 1990, when the adjacent Eagle River Timber Bridge replaced it for automobile traffic. The Lake Shore Drive Bridge was listed as a Michigan State Historic Site on May 10, 1990.

History

Construction

Originally located on the site was a Pratt through truss bridge, which by 1915 had deteriorated sufficiently to warrant replacement. The new bridge was designed by the Michigan State Highway Department under a system of standardized bridge plans provided to local communities on request. The Lake Shore Drive Bridge was constructed by the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company of Milwaukee, and was completed in 1915. The concrete abutments were made by the Smith-Byers-Sparks Company from Houghton, Michigan.[1]

Looking along the length of the bridge

The Lake Shore Drive Bridge was one of two bridges built simultaneously over the Eagle River, the other located in Phoenix, Michigan.[1]

Replacement

In 1990, the adjacent Eagle River Timber Bridge opened for traffic and the Lake Shore Drive Bridge was relegated to pedestrian traffic. The Lake Shore Drive Bridge was listed as a Michigan State Historic Site on May 10, 1990, and an informational marker was erected in 1991.[1]

2007 inspection

The collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge, a continuous deck truss,[3] in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007, prompted inspections of bridges of similar construction. Four bridges of this type were identified in Michigan, including the Lake Shore Drive Bridge.[4] The bridge was inspected on August 6, 2007,[4][5] and was determined to be safe.[3]

Architecture

Commemorative placard on the guard rail

The bridge is a Warren deck truss and continuous deck truss[3] made of riveted steel. The 139-foot (42 m) bridge has three spans: a main span of 105 feet (32 m) flanked by two 34 feet (10 m) spans. The guard rails are made of woven steel lattice.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Staff. "Lake Shore Drive Bridge". State Historic Preservation Office. Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Retrieved December 31, 2011.
  2. Hanchey, C. (August 8, 2011). "Lake Shore Drive Bridge". BridgeHunter.com: Historic Bridges of the US. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Lake, James (August 7, 2007). "MDOT says M-26 Eagle River Bridge and state's three other continuous deck truss bridges are safe" (Press release). Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Kelley, Frank E. (August 23, 2007). Minutes: Michigan State Transportation Commission Meeting (PDF) (Report). Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State Transportation Commission. Retrieved December 31, 2011.
  5. Gould, Karen (August 9, 2007). "Area Bridges Deemed Safe". St. Ignace News. Retrieved December 31, 2011.

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