Parker Road–Charlotte River Bridge

The Parker Road–Charlotte River Bridge, also known as the 10 Mile Road–Charlotte River Bridge, is a bridge building located on Parker Road (now East 10-Mile Road) over the Charlotte River in Bruce Township, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.[1]

Parker Road–Charlotte River Bridge
Parker Road–Charlotte River Bridge is located in Michigan
Parker Road–Charlotte River Bridge
Parker Road–Charlotte River Bridge is located in the United States
Parker Road–Charlotte River Bridge
LocationE. 10 Mile Rd. over Charlotte River, Bruce Township, Michigan
Coordinates46°21′45″N 84°17′24″W / 46.36250°N 84.29000°W / 46.36250; -84.29000
Arealess than one acre
Built1914
Built byMinneapolis Bridge Company
Architectural styleWarren Pony Truss
MPSHighway Bridges of Michigan MPS
NRHP reference No.00000009[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 28, 2000

Description

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The Parker Road–Charlotte River Bridge is a three-panel, rigid-connected Warren Pony Truss bridge; the structural members of the bridge are made pairs of steel angles connected back-to-back, rather than the more traditional box beams.[2] I-beams supporting the wooden deck[3] are bolted to the upright truss. The bridge spans 51.8 feet (15.8 m) with a width of 16.4 feet (5.0 m),[3][unreliable source] and sits on concrete abutments with angled wingwalls.[2] The span has been recently braced with timber pilings in the center, but otherwise is relatively unchanged. The bridge is closed to traffic and is no longer maintained.[3]

Historic context

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In the era before standard bridge designs were drafted by the Michigan State Highway Department, local road commissions were tempted to reduce costs by using lighter two-angle superstructure elements, as in this bridge. This bridge was built in 1914 by the Minneapolis Bridge Company, likely at the behest of the Bruce Township Board. It is the only example of this type of two-angle superstructure truss bridge in Michigan that has been definitively dated.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Staff (May 9, 2002). "Parker Rd.–Charlotte River". Michigan's Historic Bridges. Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "10 Mile Road Bridge". HistoricBridges.org. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
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  • Photos from HistoricBridges.org