23 Mile Road–Kalamazoo River Bridge

The 23 Mile Road–Kalamazoo River Bridge is a curved-chord through-girder bridge in Marengo Township, Michigan, that carries 23 Mile Road over the Kalamazoo River. Built in 1922, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

23 Mile Road–Kalamazoo River Bridge
Coordinates	42.26827°N 84.84769°W / 42.26827; -84.84769
Characteristics
Total length	60 feet (18 m)
Width	25.6 feet (7.8 m)
Longest span	60 feet (18 m)
No. of spans	1
History
Construction cost	$10,353[1]
23 Mile Road–Kalamazoo River Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Built	1922[1]
NRHP reference No.	99001611[2]
Added to NRHP	December 22, 1999
References
[3]

History

Prior to construction of the concrete structure, the river was spanned by another bridge at this location, presumably of a steel truss design. The new bridge was planned in January 1922 by the Michigan State Highway Department. Calhoun County subsequently built the structure as a State Reward Bridge. Mead Brothers of Battle Creek served as contractor in dismantling the previous span and building the new bridge. Construction cost $10,353.[1]

The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1999.[3] It was eligible as one of the oldest examples of its design and for its well-preserved state.[1][3] The 12 Mile Road–Kalamazoo River Bridge, also in Calhoun County, was added the same day.[4]

Design

The bridge is oriented north–south and located about .25 miles (0.40 km) south of Marengo in a rural area.[3] The bridge has a curved-chord through-girder design, a style developed by the Michigan State Highway Department in the early 1920s.[1] The bridge consists of a single 60-foot-long (18 m) span. The girders, which also serve as railings, have a curved top surface and, along the sides, have elliptical recesses with six smaller recesses within. The corner posts have squared caps and bases to which are attached Armco guard rails. The northwest corner post bears a bridge plate.[3]

See also

• List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Calhoun County, Michigan

References

1. "23 Mile Rd. / Kalamazoo River". Historic Bridges. Michigan Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
3. Staff. "23 Mile Road/Kalamazoo River Bridge". State Historic Preservation Office. Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Archived from the original on 2012-12-24. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
4. "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/20/99 Through 12/23/99". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved September 4, 2012.